Our San Bernardino auto defect lawyers at Bisnar Chase have won over $1 billion for our clients. With over 46 years of experience, our law firm boasts an outstanding track record and is committed to providing the superior representation you need following an accident.
Vehicles play a vital role in our lives. This is especially true in San Bernardino and across Southern California, where everyday life is nearly impossible without a car.
But our vehicles are not always as safe as they should be. Sometimes, design or manufacturing errors can cause cars to malfunction. In other cases, the manufacturer used cheap materials or failed to perform proper testing. When you are injured as a result, you need the right attorneys by your side.
The Best Auto Defect Lawyers Near You in San Bernardino
If you have been involved in a car accident or have experienced a personal injury due to an auto defect, contact our team of skilled personal injury attorneys in San Bernardino for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Bisnar Chase has a national reputation for handling auto defect cases.
- We have a 99% success rate.
- Our team has recovered more than $1 billion for our clients.
- We have more than four decades of experience with a local office in San Bernardino.
- Offering a free consultation – no win, no fee.
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a vehicle malfunction, our San Bernardino car defect lawyers can help. We have handled everything from brake failure, seatback failure, and rollover risks to airbag and seat belt failure.
Whether a recall has been issued or not, our team will investigate your case and hold negligent manufacturers and dealers accountable. An experienced defective vehicle attorney will have the right experience to win your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation with no obligations. You can call us at (909) 253-0750 or send us a message online to find out if you have a case.
Auto Defect Lawyers in San Bernardino
Some of Our Auto Defect Verdicts and Settlements
Our specialty in auto defect lawsuits has garnered numerous 7-, 8-, and 9-figure verdicts and settlements. Brian Chase is a pioneer in the auto defect liability area of practice and has built a winning team with vast knowledge on how to handle these cases for maximum compensation.
- $32,698,073 Auto Product Liability
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect – Seat Manufacturers, Johnson Controls.
- $24,744,764 Defective Seatback Failure
- Type of Accident / Injury: Defective Seatback
- $14,443,205 Auto Product Liability
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect
- $12,248,000 Auto Product Liability
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect
- $10,200,000 Auto Product Liability
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect / Auto Negligence
- $8,500,000 Rear-End MVA with Seatbelt Failure
- Type of Accident / Injury: Motor Vehicle Accident / Wrongful Death
- $7,000,000 Auto Defect – Conf
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect – Conf
- $6,800,000 Auto Defect – Conf.
- Type of Accident / Injury: Auto Defect – Conf
- $6,770,000 Seatback Failure
- Type of Accident / Injury: Seatback Failure
- $6,500,000 Auto Product Liability
Most Common Types of Auto Defect Cases We Handle
While there are dozens of different types of auto defects that can cause injury, we typically see the same ones repeatedly. Usually, this is because of the sheer number of vehicles that may be affected by a single recall, whereas other minor recalls may occur less frequently.
- Ignition switch recalls – faulty ignition turns off unexpectedly
- Takata airbag explosions—airbags with faulty inflators that rupture shrapnel
- Unintended acceleration—typically, Toyota, unintended speeding
- Firestone tire tread separation—causing blowouts and rollovers
- Sticky accelerator pedals—leading to high-speed crashes
- Oil-burning engines – defective piston rings
- Weak roof structures—trucks are prone to collapse in a rollover
- Faulty ABS brake systems
- Side airbag curtain failure
- Seatback failure—cheaply made seats leading to injury or death
- Fuel tank fires
What is Considered an Auto Defect?
Federal law defines auto safety as the performance of a vehicle or equipment that protects consumers against the “unreasonable risk of accidents” that occur due to the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle and against the unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident.
A safety defect is a problem in a motor vehicle or vehicle part that poses a risk to motor vehicle safety and may exist in a group of vehicles or vehicle parts of the same design or manufacture.
Auto defects that can cause accidents, injuries, or worsen the outcome of the situation consist of but are not limited to:
- Defective Seatbelts
- Seatback Failures
- Faulty Airbag Deployment
- Weak Roof and Roof Crush
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Loss of Power Steering
- Brake Failure
- Loss of Engine or Transmission Power
- Defective Tires (Tire Separation)
- Electrical System Failure
- Suspension Failure
- Door Latch Failure
- Fuel System Failure
Types of Auto Part Failures
Transmission and Drivetrain Defects
- Transmission failure
- Gear shift malfunction
- Drivetrain defect
- Torque converter issues
- Axle breakage
- Differential failure
- Powertrain recall
Electrical and Electronic System Failures
- Electrical short circuit
- Wiring harness defect
- Battery fire risk
- ECU (engine control unit) failure
- Infotainment system glitch
- Sensor malfunction
- EV battery defect
Tire, Wheel, and Suspension Problems
- Tire blowout
- Wheel detachment
- Suspension collapse
- Faulty shock absorbers
- Alignment defect
- Rim fracture
- Tread separation
Autonomous and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Issues
- Autonomous driving error
- ADAS malfunction
- Lane-keeping failure
- Adaptive cruise control defect
- Collision avoidance system glitch
- Self-driving software bug
- Tesla Autopilot issue (or similar brand-specific)
If you suspect that a mechanical failure caused your accident, contact our San Bernardino auto defect lawyers for a free case evaluation.
How Soon Do You Need to File an Auto Defect Legal Claim?
In most personal injury cases, the victim will need to file a legal claim within two years of the accident. This is the time limit set out by California’s statute of limitations.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, the timeframe for filing is even tighter. The best advice that we can give is to contact us here at Bisnar Chase as soon as you can.
You want our team to work for you straight away after an accident. We can handle the car accident portion of the case while investigating any potential auto defects. Our experts will handle initial negotiations, hire experts, help preserve your vehicle, and file litigation when necessary.
We are expert trial lawyers who have faced off against the biggest automakers in the world and held them accountable for their mistakes. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The best way to maximize your compensation is to work with he best San Bernardino auto defect attorneys in your area. Bisnar Chase has an unparalleled track record. You can trust us to secure the best possible results in your case.
How Much is an Auto Defect Case Worth?
How much your auto defect case is worth depends on the circumstances of your accident. Your personal injury lawsuit could be worth a few thousand dollars or a 7 or 8-figure verdict or settlement. Our law firm has recovered 7,8, and 9 figure settlements for clients of ours injured in a car defect case.
The factors weighed in an auto defect injury lawsuit are:
- Injury severity: The case is likely to be more substantial the more serious the injuries are.
- The connection between the flaw and the harm: The injured party must demonstrate that the flaw was the real reason for their harm.
- How many people were hurt? The argument may also be strengthened if numerous victims of the same flaw exist.
- The presence of expert witnesses: Expert witnesses might offer insightful testimony regarding the flaw of the vehicle and its origin.
- Existence of earlier complaints or recalls: If the identical fault has previously been the subject of complaints or recalls, this may support the plaintiff’s claim.
- The defendant’s financial resources: The plaintiff’s capacity to obtain damages will be impacted by the defendant’s financial resources. This usually means going after multi-million dollar auto manufacturers.
To find out the value of your auto defect case, contact us for a free case evaluation. Our San Bernardino auto defect lawyers can investigate the accident.
How Do San Bernardino Auto Defect Lawyers Investigate My Case?
- Interviewing the client: Our auto defect lawyer will want to get as much information as possible from the client about the accident, including the events leading up to the crash, the injuries sustained, and any other relevant information.
- Obtaining police reports: We will obtain a copy of the police report from the accident. This report can provide valuable information about the crash’s circumstances, including the cause of the accident.
- Inspecting the vehicle: If the vehicle is preserved, our auto defect lawyer will inspect the vehicle involved in the accident. This inspection can help our lawyers identify any defects in the car that may have contributed to the crash.
- Retaining industry experts: Our law firm may retain experts, such as top-rated engineers or accident reconstruction specialists, to assist in investigating the crash and determining the cause of the defect.
- Reviewing documents: We will review any relevant information related to your specific defect, such as the vehicle’s maintenance records, specifications, and any manufacturer or NHTSA recalls issued for the car.
We will also consider all of the following to strengthen your case.
- Interview witnesses to the crash.
- Obtain photographs or videos of the crash scene.
- Obtain medical records to prove injuries.
- Track down recalls, injuries, and warnings, and research the vehicle manufacturer.
- Research relevant laws and regulations related to motor vehicle recalls.
The investigation process can be complex and time-consuming. Still, it is essential to any successful auto defect case, and our attorneys will leave no stone unturned to get fair compensation for you and hold automakers responsible.
Choose the San Bernardino Auto Defect Lawyers of Bisnar Chase
The San Bernardino auto defect lawyers at Bisnar Chase have a long and successful track record of handling these types of cases. We have the knowledge, skill, and tenacity to stand up and fight against large automakers.
We are not intimidated by them. Instead, we are driven by the passion to get justice and fair compensation for our clients.
We hope that our work in the area of product liability will help change the shape of cars in the future so they are safer for all consumers, not just those who can pay more to get better safety features. Auto safety should not be a luxury; it should be deemed a necessity.
If you have been injured by a defective motor vehicle, please call (909) 253-0750 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Brian Chase specifically went to law school to become an auto defect lawyer. He was moved by the 1970s Ford Pinto cases where gas tanks erupted into fire and wanted to see safer vehicles on the road. The Grimshaw vs. Ford case made a lasting impact on Brian.
Driver Error or an Auto Defect?
When a catastrophic or fatal accident occurs, the tendency on the part of most people is to conclude that the drivers involved did something wrong. While in many cases, it is true that drivers are responsible for crashes, it is also often true that a product defect also contributed to the accident and or injuries.
For example, a driver may have overcorrected and caused an accident or rollover. However, if the roof is well designed so it does not crush or the seatbelt buckle is designed so it is strong and does not unlatch, then, the vehicle’s occupants will survive the accident and come out of it with minimal injuries.
However, in far too many cases, the role of a defective auto part is underplayed or never identified, the driver is blamed, the case is not litigated properly and the victim and his or her family do not get the justice they deserve.
Driver error is also a common excuse automakers freely use to escape liability for their defective products.
Auto Recalls on Motor Vehicle Parts
A vehicle or part recall becomes necessary when a motor vehicle or a part, including tires, does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Recalls are issued when there is a safety-related defect in the vehicle or equipment as well.
Automakers are required to report any safety defect relating to a vehicle or part within five days of finding out about it. However, automakers are not always diligent about following the law.
We have seen several examples of such lack of diligence including Toyota, which stalled for years before recalling more than 10 million vehicles for sudden unintended acceleration issues.
After issuing a recall, automakers are required to fix the problem for free. This often costs millions of dollars, so these manufacturers try to avoid or stall a recall as much as possible.
Putting Profits Before People Injuring Consumers
Often, we find that automakers do not need to make a major financial commitment to make vehicles and safety systems safer. For example, General Motors could have fixed its defective ignitions for under $1 per vehicle. Instead, the company chose not to act on the matter.
Today, 13 people are dead as a result of that negligence. Many cars today have seats that are no better than lawn chairs. It would not take much to make them stronger. But automakers don’t act on it. The same goes for safer windshields, window glass, airbags, seatbelts, and stronger roofs.
The question is: When will safety become a priority for these automakers? Personal injury attorneys continue to keep the pressure on to make nationwide safety enhances.
Preserving the Evidence After an Auto Defect Accident
If you suspect that you have been involved in an accident or injured as the result of a faulty vehicle or vehicle parts, it is crucial that you preserve the vehicle in its current state, unaltered.
It is absolutely critical that an expert thoroughly examines the vehicle for evidence of manufacturing defects, malfunctions and design flaws.
An experienced auto defect law firm will be able to send out a spoliation letter to the parties involved so that the vehicle is preserved. The vehicle is the single most important piece of evidence in an auto defect case.
Auto Defect Injuries vs. Wrongful Death
At Bisnar Chase, we deal with severe injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits. If you sustained injuries in an auto defect accident, you can expect to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Property damage.
- Pain and suffering.
- Future medical needs.
If the accident caused a fatality, the family of the deceased can file a wrongful death case. They can receive compensation for:
- Loss of financial support.
- The pain and suffering of their loved one.
- Funeral costs.
- The loss of love, care, companionship, and emotional support.
Types of Injuries from Car Accident Defects
Because we deal in catastrophic and serious injury law, we only handle cases that resulted in death or injury. Typical injuries we see are
- Whiplash and serious neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Serious back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Chest and torso injuries
- Amputations
- Fire and burn injuries
In either case, it is vital to hold the negligent automaker accountable when their products cause accidents and injuries. Money is essential to many people, and we will always strive to maximize the amount you can recover. However, it is just as necessary to raise awareness of these dangers and compel manufacturers and dealers to improve their practices for the benefit of future consumers. Our auto defect personal injury lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have about your injuries and case.
Recent Studies and Facts for Auto Defects in the US
- NHTSA 2024 Annual Recalls Report (covers 2024 data on vehicles recalled, completion rates, and high-risk campaigns created in April 2025).
- Report on Vehicle Safety Recall Completion Rates.
- Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in First Half of 2025.
Award-Winning San Bernardino Auto Defect Attorneys Near You
Our team of skilled and experienced San Bernardino auto defect lawyers has more than 46 years of experience. We have won over $1 billion for our clients, establishing a 99% success rate.
There is no corporation too big or too powerful for Bisnar Chase. We have taken on and won complex cases that other well-known and reputable law firms have turned down due to a lack of confidence, resources, and the inability to do so.
Auto manufacturers, auto corporations, and auto part companies need to be held accountable for the negligence of safety protocols that their customers vulnerably trust in them. When something goes wrong and someone is injured or killed, we fight for the victims. Bisnar Chase has a track record of securing the justice and compensation that our clients deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to an auto defect, contact an expert San Bernardino auto defect lawyer at Bisnar Chase today. Call (909) 253-0750, send us an email, or message us through our 24/7 website live chat. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
