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California Auto Defect Lawyers

California Auto Defect Lawyers

The California Auto Defect Lawyers at Bisnar Chase have won difficult defect cases for 45 and over $850 million; we have a long list of satisfied clients we were able to help get their lives back.

  • Seasoned trial lawyers familiar with all California courts
  • Over 46 years experience in injury law
  • Expertise and financial resources to fight
  • Maximize financial revenue by creating solid cases
  • Over $850M in settlements and jury verdicts

Not every personal injury lawyer specializes in or has extensive experience in defective auto cases, especially those caused by severe defects like sudden unintended acceleration and seat-back failure.

These auto product liability cases can cause severe and catastrophic injuries that change a person or family forever. Our California motor vehicle defect lawyers have taken on significant cases and won hundreds of millions for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation to determine if you have an auto product liability claim. The advice is free, and the outcome may be priceless.

For a free consultation with an auto defect law firm near you, call 800-561-4887. We offer a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee if we don’t win. We also shield you from liability by requesting medical liens from your medical providers to give you breathing room until the case settles.

California Auto Defect Lawyer

Some of Our Auto Defect Cases Won by Bisnar Chase

These are just some of the cases our legal team has won on behalf of our clients. These case results range from seatback failures and door-latch defects to roof crush and rollover injuries. Much investigation and preparation go into winning complex auto product liability cases.

  • $24,744,764+ Seatback failure
  • $14,443,205  Seatback failure
  • $15,000,000+ Seatback defect
  • $13,000,000+  Rollover defect
  • $10,000,000  Roof crush defect
  • $5,000,000 Defective airbag
  • $5,000,000 Defective airbag
  • $5,300,000 Seatback failure
  • $3,700,000 Tire failure
  • $3,5000,000  Defective door latch

Top-Rated Auto Defect Attorneys in California

It is important to remember that automakers are large corporations that have high-powered legal defense teams at their beck and call. Anyone who intends to fight these corporations cannot and should not do it alone. You need a renowned California auto defect attorney on your side who will fight for your rights at every turn if you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of a dangerous vehicle defect or defective auto part.

You need a law firm that has the motivation and resources to conduct independent investigations and testing. You need a strong team of defective and dangerous products lawyers who are on a mission to hold wrongdoers accountable and make the world a safer place for consumers.

Brian Chase is a national automobile defect expert. He’s been trying these cases for decades, and he understands the inter-workings of the automotive industry. Even cases with contributory negligence can be won, and Brian is the attorney other law firms turn to, to win these cases. Brian is also the author of two auto defect books uncovering the dark side of the auto industry.

Auto Defect Litigation

Auto defect litigation for the plaintiff involves filing a personal injury claim against the car company when a defect in the vehicle causes the accident. To successfully litigate an auto defect case, the plaintiff must establish a sufficient causal connection between the defendant and the defect.

The legal basis for an auto defect claim is based on strict liability, meaning that negligence does not need to be shown for the plaintiff to succeed. Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the manufacturer and incentivize them to fix any inherent defects in their vehicle design. 

How Much Do Auto Defect Lawyers Charge?

An auto defect lawyer follows the same tort laws as a personal injury attorney, and in California, the current rates are 33–42% of what the attorney recovers for the client. Attorney fees are not paid upfront and only come out of the proceeds upon settlement.

In addition, Bisnar Chase shields you from financial burden by offering a contingency fee-based structure where you only pay if we win the case. Our attorneys are very motivated to win your case, not only because we want justice for you but also because auto defect cases are very expensive to litigate.

How Long Does It Take to Settle an Auto Defect Case?

It will depend on the details of your case and how complex it is. Auto defect lawsuits require a lot of resources, including experts, investigators, a re-creation of the part failure, and many other legal costs. The case can take anywhere from 6 months to several years, and while we will work hard to expedite your case, there is no way to control potential stalls from the defense team, court availability if it goes to trial, or the time it takes to process all the evidence.

Do you Handle Auto Defect Cases in Other States Besides California?

Yes, our law firm takes on various defective and dangerous parts cases nationwide. We’ve also worked on cases in the U.K. going up against large auto manufacturers like Mercedes.  Because most auto defect cases will have multiple victims, these cases are seen in all states.  Some auto defect lawsuits can be pursued as an individual case, a class action, or a mass tort.

Who is Liable For a Defective Auto Part?

Several parties can be held liable for an injury due to an auto defect.

  • Manufacturers
  • Shippers (If negligence damaged the car part)
  • Wholesalers
  • Car dealers
  • Car part retailers

How is an Auto Defect Case Different From a Lemon Law Case?

An auto defect case is usually related to product liability and concerns vehicles with manufacturing or design flaws that could compromise safety or reduce the vehicle’s usefulness, worth, or safety.

These cases can be based on flaws that result in accidents or injuries and can be brought forward at any time when a vehicle defect directly causes damage or injury. The main emphasis is on the flaw and the harm it causes, not how often it has been repaired or how long the problem has persisted.

A lemon law case, on the other hand, explicitly addresses new motor vehicles that are under warranty and have persistent problems that the dealer or manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts.

America's Top Trial Attorneys 2024

Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase

“I went to law school knowing I wanted to be a personal injury attorney. I wanted my life’s work to have a positive impact on other people’s lives. We have to hold big corporations responsible. It’s the right thing to do.”

Some of Brian’s Legal Honors:

  • 2020-2023 Daily Journal Top Plaintiff Attorney
  • 2024 Million Dollar Advocate
  • 2024 Top 10 National Trial Lawyer High Stakes Litigator
  • Prestigious Member of the $500M Club
  • 2018-2024 Lawyer of the Year
  • 2017-2024 Nation’s Premiere Top Ten Attorneys by NAOPIA
  • 2017-2024 America’s Top 100 Attorneys
  • 2018-2024 Top 1% by the Natl. Assoc. of Distinguished Counsel

Nationwide Automobile Defect Statistics

dangerous defects in the motor vehicle industry

Automakers have recalled over 250 million cars in the past two decades for potentially fatal defects that could cause serious injuries or death at any time. Anyone hurt as a result of an automotive defect like this deserves compensation from the car manufacturer who allowed the defect that caused their injuries to remain in their cars.

In 2023, there were numerous auto recalls, including those by Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Honda, and Tesla

  • Ford issued 54 recalls, affecting nearly 5.7 million vehicles in the U.S.
  • Honda and Ford issued even more recalls. Some recalls included airbag problems, door-related issues, fuel pump shutdown, axle failure, and cabin door unlocking during a crash.

2015–2020 was a big year for recalls. Takata airbags had the largest recall in history. Automakers recalled as many vehicles as they sold in 2012 and 2015.

There have been several extensive recalls for motor vehicles in the United States:

  1. In January 2019, Ford recalled more than 953,000 vehicles due to a problem with the door latch, which could cause the door to open unexpectedly while the vehicle was in motion.
  2. In July 2019, Toyota recalled more than 3.4 million vehicles due to a problem with the airbag inflator, which could rupture and cause injury to passengers.

Recent auto defect recalls and injuries

There are millions more vehicles that have not been recalled despite having defective parts in them. As vehicles are being recalled in larger numbers due to various manufacturing defects and design flaws, it is very important that consumers are aware of vehicle safety and defective auto recalls.

That said, automakers have a duty of care to consumers to manufacture safe and reliable vehicles. Unfortunately, we have seen evidence for decades that automakers, sometimes deliberately, choose to disregard that duty and recklessly endanger the lives of millions of people who buy their vehicles and make them profitable as corporations.

Learn how to report a vehicle defect or malfunction, and how to take legal action.

Examples of Defective Auto Parts

Devastating injuries can occur whenever an auto part fails to work correctly and a vehicle malfunctions. Automakers must put their vehicles through rigorous testing before putting them on the market.

But, often, automakers put profits before consumer safety. As a result, they install substandard parts in the vehicle to boost profits.

The quality of the auto parts and safety features in a vehicle significantly affect its crashworthiness—the ability of a vehicle to protect its occupants in the event of a crash.

Vehicle manufacturing defects that cause car accidents and spur recalls include:

Tires:

A tire blowout can be extremely dangerous, while tread separation can also be catastrophic. When a defective tire undergoes tread separation at freeway speeds, the vehicle may veer out of control or rollover. In such cases, it may be difficult, even for an experienced driver, to regain control of the vehicle.

Seat belts:

Whenever a driver or passenger is ejected from a vehicle or suffers serious injury, it must be determined if they were wearing a defective seat belt that failed to work correctly.

Car seats:

When an infant or booster seat is defective, there is the potential for injuries to young children.

Seatback Injuries:

A flimsy or defective seatback may collapse and cause the occupant to get thrown around. This often results in catastrophic injuries.

Brakes:

It is extremely dangerous to operate a vehicle that does not have properly working brakes.

Electrical system failure:

A fuel system defect in a motor vehicle is a problem with one or more components of the vehicle’s fuel system, which is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine. Some common fuel system defects include faulty fuel pumps, fuel lines, or fuel injectors, which can prevent the engine from getting the fuel it needs to operate correctly.

The dangers of fuel system defects in motor vehicles can include reduced engine performance, loss of power, and increased fuel consumption. In severe cases, a fuel system defect can cause the vehicle to stall or even catch fire, putting the driver and passengers at risk of injury or death.

Accelerator pedals:

There have been many recalls lately involving accelerator pedals that stick and remain depressed, causing sudden or unintended acceleration.

Airbags:

A defective airbag can either fail to protect the driver during an accident or suddenly inflate and cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants.

Vehicle rollovers:

Defective vehicle design could increase the propensity of vehicle rollovers. For example, 15-passenger vans and older-model SUVs are particularly prone to rolling over because of their top-heavy design.

Roof crush:

Vehicles that rollover are meant to have strong roofs to resist the car’s weight so that the passengers inside are kept safe. When roofs fail, it can result in major injuries or death.

Door latch:

When a defective door latch malfunctions, it could cause the door to fly open, leave occupants exposed, or trap them inside the vehicle. Either can be deadly in the event of an accident.

It is important for all California motorists to stay abreast of recalls and investigations. When there have been a number of similar complaints about a specific vehicle or part, the manufacturer may have to conduct an investigation.

In some cases, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will conduct an independent investigation and an engineering analysis. A recall will be initiated if the investigation determines that the auto part is defective.

The most common vehicle manufacturing defects in the US.

Here is a list of common automotive defects in the United States for motor vehicles:

  1. Brake failure
  2. Accelerator pedal sticking
  3. Engine stalling
  4. Transmission failure
  5. Defective fuel systems 
  6. Tire separation
  7. Faulty airbags
  8. Defective seat belts
  9. Steering failure
  10. Suspension problems
  11. Tire/wheel defects
  12. Rollover risk
  13. Defective windshield wipers
  14. Cooling system failure
  15. Car fires

These defects can result in serious accidents and injuries caused by various factors, including design flaws, manufacturing defects, and inadequate testing. If you believe your vehicle has a defect, it’s essential to report it to the manufacturer and seek legal advice from an experienced auto defect lawyer in California.

What Makes a Car Part Defective?

A defective product fails to execute the task it was designed to perform. There are many reasons why an auto part can become defective. Some parts have a defective design that makes them prone to breaking or malfunctioning. Parts that are poorly designed can fail even when they are assembled correctly.

In other cases, auto parts are poorly built. Manufacturing defects typically involve a limited number of parts built at a specific plant for a short period of time when the required specifications are not followed.

Let our dangerous products experts see if you have a case. The auto defect lawyers at Bisnar Chase have unlimited resources to represent your injury claim.

Proving That a Car Part is Defective

It is absolutely vital to your case that your vehicle is preserved for a complete and thorough inspection. Resist the temptation to repair or get rid of your car.

In fact, the vehicle is the most important piece of evidence in an automotive defect case. An expert will be able to thoroughly analyze the vehicle for defects, malfunctions, and other evidence when it is preserved in its original state unaltered.

In order to have a successful auto defect claim against an auto manufacturer, you will have to prove that:

  • The auto part was defective in some way;
  • That the faulty product resulted in the accident and or injuries;
  • You suffered a physical, financial or emotional loss as a result of the defect.

If you believe your injury was the result of a defective car part, contact our top-rated auto defect attorneys for a free consultation and to review your evidence. 

Finding the Right Motor Vehicle Defects Lawyer

With over 45 Years of Experience, we have collected over $750 Million, established a 99% success rate, and have the resources to take on very difficult cases.

Senior partner Brian Chase specializes in serious auto defect cases, as does his team of trial lawyers. We can pursue your case with experience and passion. With over 12,000 clients served and hundreds of millions in victories, Bisnar Chase is ready to fight for you.

We’ve helped some pretty special people with serious defective auto cases.  Jaklin Romine received $24.7 million for her defective driver’s seat case. Felipe Rojas recovered a very large confidential settlement for a seatbelt failure after being hit by a drunk driver.

If you need an attorney to take your case to another level, please consider Bisnar Chase. See all case resultsContact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation of your California auto defect claim.

Call 1-800-561-4887.

California Auto Defect Attorneys

  • Automakers often negligently sell cars that have defects that can lead to injuries or death:
  • Sudden Acceleration: A car can accelerate to full speed without pressing the gas pedal and may not be able to be stopped by the brakes
  • Rollovers: Taller cars like 15-passenger vans are much more likely to rollover under dangerous driving conditions and cause injuries.
  • Roof Crush: Rollover accidents are especially dangerous when the vehicle roof is not enforced, leading to major injuries or death.
  • Ford Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Some Ford Explorer drivers have been injured after passing out while driving because of car exhaust leaking into the passenger cabin and poisoning the drivers.
  • Airbag Failure: Consumers expect their airbags to protect them in a crash, and passengers can be injured terribly if the airbag does not go off in the event of a crash.
  • Seatbelt Failure: Defective seatbelts can click into position but then release when jolted suddenly, offering no protection in a car crash.
  • Seat Back Failure: Many car seats are made cheaply and can break in the event of a rear-end accident, leading to serious injuries to the driver or a passenger behind them.
  • Tire Separation: Tire tread separation is an extremely dangerous type of defect, occurring when the grooved tread breaks away from the rest of the tire while the vehicle is moving.
  • Door Latch: A defective car door latch can either trap occupants inside a vehicle or cause the door to pop open during an accident. Both scenarios are extremely dangerous.
  • If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of an auto defect, know your rights and contact an attorney today. We may be able to get you the compensation you deserve.

Case Results

  • 1

    $117,500,000

    Consumer Class Action

  • 2

    $38,650,000

    Motor Vehicle Accident

  • 3

    $32,698,073

    Auto Defect – Seat Manufacturers, Johnson Controls

  • 4

    $30,000,000

    Motorcycle Accident

  • 5

    $24,744,764

    Defective Seatback

  • 6

    $16,444,904

    Bicycle Accident

Client Reviews

Bisnar Chase Google Review - Lena

I wasn’t sure if I needed a personal injury attorney because I’d never been in a car accident before. I assumed I’d just go straight through the other driver’s insurance but that quickly became a nightmare. I spent months fighting over the simplest of issues about my case, which was 100% the other driver’s fault. I hired Bisnar Chase to see if they could just take it over for me. I was really impressed with how much they communicated everything to me! I suddenly started getting calls from the insurance company, imagine that. My final settlement was 6 times what I asked for to begin with. Everyone I dealt with was really involved in what was best for me, not the insurance.

Lena Murillo
Bisnar Chase Google Review

I had an attorney for my truck accident who wanted almost 60% of what my case was worth. Worse than that, he was willing to settle for $5,000.00 with the insurance company even though I was still treating for whiplash and back pain. I contacted Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys because a friend recommended them. My case was handled exceptionally well! I was being kept notified throughout the whole process and only when I was comfortable with the settlement figure, did my attorney Gavin Long, accept it. I felt like we were working together and I felt listened to. I would refer Bisnar Chase to anyone who wants quality over quantity!

Lauren B
Bisnar Chase Google Review

It was a pleasure working with such an amazing team. You will definitely feel welcomed and kept in the loop throughout the entire process. They do a great job making you feel like you are a part of their team which is how one should feel. The superb customer experience from finish to end. You can trust they will do all possible to promptly and efficiently handle your case.
Yes! I recommend this team…

Queen V
Bisnar Chase Reviews

Bisnar Chase has been amazing with me through my lawsuit. I felt real compassion for my case and I was given their very best to make sure I was well taken care of. In addition to the great service given during my case, Bisnar Chase helped me get my son to his invited USA Football Team camp in Texas. They immediately offered to help fund the trip and are so supportive of his journey. I felt Kristi is just as excited for him as I am with this opportunity. Kristi has been an absolute delight to talk with. Bisnar Chase is more than I ever expected I could get in an attorney. I would recommend them to anyone!

Christina Del Real

Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP

1301 Dove St. STE 120, Newport Beach, CA 92660

800-561-4887

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