The news is full of automobile recall announcements, but many Americans don’t fully understand how vehicle recalls may affect their lives. As personal injury attorneys, we have represented citizens of Marietta, Cobb County, and surrounding areas within Georgia in auto accidents countless times. Each of these crashes was caused by either human error or an automotive failure. In situations where an automobile’s manufacturing tactics may have led to an injury-causing crash, that corporation may be held liable. Sometimes the causes of these crashes are attributed to defects within the vehicle(s) involved. Below are a few answers to questions you may have about automotive recalls and defects:
- What is a recall?
An auto recall is issued in the event that the NHTSA or manufacturer finds equipment or parts that make up a vehicle pose a safety risk to consumers.Another cause of recalls is if a vehicle is found to not meet the minimum standards of safety set forth by regulators.
- How do I find out about a recall?
Consumers who have registered their vehicles should be notified by the auto manufacturer in the event of a safety recall affecting your model vehicle.This contact usually comes in the form of a U.S. postal letter, but many people find out about recalls and safety upgrades when their automobile is in for servicing.If you want to stay up-to-date on the most recent recalls, you can sign up for email recall notifications from the NHTSA website.
- What should I do if my vehicle is recalled?
If your vehicle is included in a recall, it means that you cannot confidently operate the vehicle safely because parts may be defective or dangerous.Once you learn of a recall affecting your automobile, you should follow the guidance provided within the recall by the manufacturer.Typically, this means contacting a dealership to schedule a visit for service.
- What is the cost to have a defective or recalled vehicle fixed?
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to correct any and all vehicle recalls at no cost to the consumer.Any dealer that refuses to fix a recall free of charge should be reported to the auto manufacturer as soon as possible.Filing a report with the NHTSA is also advisable in the event of unsatisfactory service when dealing with recalled vehicles.
We hope that you are never involved in an injury-causing auto accident, and especially that your vehicle will serve you safely as to not cause a crash. Motor vehicles are a large investment, so it is understandable to expect safety from your car, truck, or SUV.
