When it comes to car accidents in the state of California, a majority of them are caused by driver negligence. But it's in those rare few where we find instances of product liability. And although an accident victim may have a clear case against the vehicle manufacturer or the company responsible for maintaining safety, the accused party will usually try to deflect blame; sometimes even onto the accident victim.
Unintended-acceleration debate continues in recent class action
There are few things more terrifying than driving along the freeway in a vehicle that refuses to stop. This can become more terrifying though when pressing on the break appears to make the car speed up faster, all while you pray that you don't end up in an accident as a result.
Chrysler recalls some 278,000 vehicle in US for rear-axle failure
A recent recall by Chrysler had a number of California residents scrambling to their dealers last month after the automotive manufacturer announced that certain models of their vehicles could put drivers at considerable risk of injury or death.
Judge James Selna to hear class action against Toyota in 2013
For most people across California, the New Year will mean fulfilling resolutions and making a fresh start. For Judge James Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California however, 2013 will mean finally wrapping up the product-liability lawsuits filed against Toyota related to the accelerator issues a few years back.
Consumer Reports helps people find car recalls quicker
We all know how important recalls can be. Whether it's here in California or in another state, being notified of safety-related defects in the products we buy almost every day not only alerts us to potential dangers but shows that businesses really care about the well being of consumers.
Millions of Prius vehicles recalled because of defective parts
In the time between 2009 and 2011, owners of the newly popular Prius hybrid car were alarmed when dozens of accident reports cropped up across the nation from owners whose gas peddles would stick without warning, causing many vehicles to collide with other vehicles. But after an extensive investigation and an even larger recall, many people's worries were put at ease.
Safety regulators warn about exploding counterfeit airbags
After testing several airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that a large number of airbags that were being sold for use as replacement parts in vehicles recently involved in crashes, were not only counterfeit but incredibly dangerous as well.
Car manufacturer could be in hot water over cooling fan recalls
In the wake of rising oil prices, car manufacturers have been clamoring to make the next big sensation in hybrid vehicles. Fisker Automotive Inc. had the answer to this with their new plug-in hybrid car that boasted both luxury as well as great fuel economy.
Ford is recalled for brake interference issues
What if your brand new vehicle had defective brakes? Most California consumers would be pretty upset. As it turns out, this is the case for one popular sports utility vehicle. Did you know that Ford is recalling almost 8,300 of its 2013 Escapes in the United States? The recall stems from an auto defect in which improperly installed carpeting can potentially interfere with a driver's application of the brake pedal in the vehicle.
Rental car companies can lend you an unsafe vehicle
Did you know that the federal law does not prohibit a rental car company from renting out a car that's subject to a safety recall? The Motor Vehicle Safety Act prohibits a car dealer from selling a vehicle that's part of a safety recall until any auto defects have been fixed. However, California residents might be alarmed to know that this law does not apply to rental car companies. Rental agencies can rent or sell a vehicle that has been recalled without any warning or repairs.
