What if My Rental Car Was Defective and Caused Me to Be Seriously Injured?

If you rented a car to get around Reading for either business or pleasure and were injured as a result of a vehicle defect, it puts you in a very difficult position, and you may have no idea where to turn for the help you need. If the rental company was responsible for the defect – such as if they failed to maintain the car properly or if they knew about or reasonably should have known about the dangerous defect – they may be held liable for your legal damages. If, on the other hand, the defect is a matter of faulty manufacture, the car company could be responsible. Finally, both entities could share liability. If you’ve been injured by a defective rental car, you need the skilled legal guidance of an experienced Reading personal injury attorney.

Common Defects That Can Lead to Injuries

While your claim will be unique to the exact circumstances involved, there are several car defects that are most closely associated with dangerous accidents, including all the following:

• Faulty brakes that prevent you from coming to a safe stop
• A faulty steering system that locks up and prevents you from navigating the vehicle safely through traffic
• Electrical concerns that lead to a car fire
• Seat belts or airbags that fail to protect you in a car accident
• Worn or defective tires that don’t perform well or that blow out and cause you to lose control of the vehicle
• Faulty exhaust systems that can leave you poisoned

If the Defect Was Part of the Vehicle

Car manufacturers can be held responsible for damages caused by defects in the vehicles they sell. To bring a successful product liability claim against the car company, you’ll need to prove that the defect falls into one of the following categories:

• The car was defective by design, which means the car’s design itself is dangerously faulty.
• The car was rendered defective during manufacture, which means that something went wrong when the car was built.
• The car is dangerous due to inadequate warnings or instructions on the part of its manufacturer.

If the Rental Company Is Responsible

The rental company can be held responsible for your physical, financial, and emotional damages if the defect that caused you to be injured was the result of inadequate maintenance. A prime example is bald tires. They can share liability, however, if the defect is a matter of product liability but the rental company knew about – or reasonably should have known about – the defect and the related risk.

Turn to an Experienced Reading Personal Injury Attorney for the Help You Need Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by a defective rental car, it’s a complicated legal matter, and the savvy Reading personal injury attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers are well positioned to help. For more information about what we can do for you, please don’t put off reaching out and contact us online or call 267-350-6600 and schedule your free consultation today.