Who can you sue if your vehicle fails?

On Behalf of Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys | May 24, 2022 | Car Accident Injuries

If you’re driving a vehicle in Florida and it suddenly fails, it’s possible that you could have a claim against the manufacturer, the dealership or someone else who recently worked on your vehicle. Your vehicle’s design is supposed to be free from defects.

If a part is defective and you recently purchased the vehicle, you may be covered under Florida’s lemon laws. If it is not a new vehicle, you may still be able to pursue a claim for dangerous parts that led to your injuries.

It’s not a bad idea for you to check the Attorney General of Florida’s lists of vehicles that have been determined to be lemons, because if you are driving one, it could be hazardous. The manufacturer may need to replace the vehicle or buy it back from you if you purchased it within the last 24 months.

If you get into a crash and have a vehicle that was a lemon, you may also be able to prove that the manufacturer should cover the cost of your care as well as other financial losses.

If you purchase a used car and it’s defective, can you make a claim?

Not under the lemon laws, in most cases, but you may be able to make a claim against a dealership or individual if they knew that there was damage that they did not disclose.

Similarly, if you took the vehicle to a mechanic for repairs and the repairs were done poorly, you could file a claim against the mechanic for failing to repair your vehicle appropriately. If defective parts were installed, you once again may be able to pursue a claim against the manufacturer or others involved in the design of those parts.

Personal injury victims may be able to seek compensation from multiple parties

If you were in a car accident, you may be able to file a claim against multiple parties, such as the manufacturer, mechanic who failed to perform repairs correctly or other parties.

Seeking guidance from a legal professional can help narrow down your legal recourse options under the law.