Did You Know It’s Vehicle Safety Recalls Week?
Every vehicle recall is important. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one in four vehicles on the road has an unrepaired recall. That is a huge safety risk. That is why Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, which begins March 8, focuses on the importance of getting recalls fixed immediately and checking for recalls at least twice a year. Below we will answer questions about recalls in recognition of Vehicle Safety Recalls Week.
Vehicle safety recalls are meant to keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, even the safest driver can be injured in a car accident. If you are a car accident victim in the Las Vegas area, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies are not motivated to help you as an accident victim; you need a team of legal experts who fight for your best interests. A personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights. The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers has experience handling complex personal injury issues. This includes spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Don’t wait. We will immediately pursue your case to get you the compensation you deserve for injuries sustained in a Las Vegas area car accident. You don’t have to worry about affording a Las Vegas car accident lawyer – we don’t get paid unless we win for you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Questions About Recalls
Have you heard of a recall? Maybe you are wondering about the recall process. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about recalls as provided by the NHTSA.
How Common Are Recalls?
The NHTSA administered nearly 900 safety recalls affecting more than 55 million vehicles and other equipment in 2020. Yet only about 75 percent of vehicles recalled in a given year are ever fixed. This is troubling given the following recall numbers by the NHTSA:
- 53 million vehicles, car seats, tires, and equipment were recalled in 2019
- 35 million vehicles, car seats, tires, and equipment were recalled in 2018
- 42 million vehicles, car seats, tires, and equipment were recalled in 2017
When Is a Recall Necessary?
According to the NHTSA, a recall is necessary when:
- A motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment (including tires) does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
- There is a safety-related defect in the vehicle or equipment.
What Is a Safety-Related Defect?
To understand safety-related defects, it is important to first understand how motor vehicle safety is defined.
Motor Vehicle Safety
Motor vehicle safety is defined as the following:
- The performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperational safety of a motor vehicle.
Defect
A defect includes:
Any defect in performance, construction, a component, or material of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.
According to the NHTSA, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a motor vehicle that:
- poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, and
- may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture.
Examples of Defects Considered Safety-Related
Now that you know what a safety defect is, you may be wondering about examples of defects considered safety-related. Below are some NHTSA examples of defects considered safety-related:
- Steering components that break suddenly, causing partial or complete loss of vehicle control.
- Problems with fuel system components, particularly in their susceptibility to crash damage, which result in leakage of fuel and may cause vehicle fires.
- Accelerator controls that break or stick.
- Wheels that crack or break, which may result in loss of vehicle control.
- Air bags that deploy under conditions for which they are not intended to deploy.
Are All Defects Safety Related?
Now that you know what defects are, you may be wondering if all defects are safety related. No, not all defects are safety related. Below are examples of defects that are not safety related:
- Cosmetic blemishes
- Paint quality
- Air conditioners and radios that do not operate properly
Have you been injured in a car accident? Was it the fault of someone else? Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our personal injury lawyers serve the Las Vegas area with the knowledge and expertise to help you gain maximum compensation for your injuries. There’s no replacement for an experienced personal injury lawyer – get the advantage of experience by calling us today. Don’t delay: get our Las Vegas car accident lawyers working for you. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
What Is NHTSA’s Recall Process?
The NHTSA recall process involves the following three steps.
1. Complaint
A consumer (you) file a vehicle safety complaint. You can file a vehicle safety complaint by doing either of the following:
- Contacting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Vehicle Safety Hotline
- Going to the NHTSA vehicle safety website
If the NHTSA receives a number of similar reports about the same product, an investigation may be opened.
2. Investigation
The NHTSA reviews filed complaints from vehicle owners and other information related to alleged defects to decide whether to open an investigation.
3. Recall
If the NHTSA or manufacturer determine that a vehicle (or equipment) creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet a minimum safety standard, a recall is issued.
Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by either repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or repurchasing the vehicle.
How Can You Check for a Recall During Vehicle Safety Recalls Week?
You should check for recalls twice a year and register the following:
- Vehicle
- Tires
- Car seats
- Equipment
You can check for recalls by going to the Recalls page of the NHTSA website. To check for a recall, click on the appropriate link and enter the information for either your vehicle, tire, car seats, or equipment.
You can also use the SaferCar app to get current recall information. With the SaferCar app you are able to add your vehicle as well as car seats, tires, and equipment. When SaferCar discovers a recall for the vehicle or equipment you entered, it will send you an alert on your mobile device.
What Is the Takata Air Bag Recall?
The Takata airbag recall is one of the largest automotive recalls in history. It has been going on for several years. According to the NHTSA, approximately 67 million Takata air bags have been recalled because these airbags can explode when deployed. This can cause serious injury or even death.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope this Vehicle Safety Recalls Week reminds you to check for recalls and helps you stay safe on the roads. If you have been injured in an auto accident because of a recalled auto part, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you determine what steps to take next.
The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of car accident lawyers and staff ready to help you. We are experienced in all types of car accidents. This includes accidents involving manufacturer recalls. Our experienced team knows what to do in these types of cases, and we’ll represent you so your rights are protected. Some well-meaning people may advise that you don’t need a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. To ensure that you have the best opportunity to win maximum compensation for your injuries you need a knowledgeable and expert legal team on your side. That is exactly what you’ll get with Anthem Injury Lawyers.
Our office is conveniently located in Henderson, Nevada. We can come to you in the Las Vegas area if you are unable to visit our office. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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