SANTA CLARITA AUTO DEFECT INJURY ATTORNEY

Was Your Accident Caused by a Vehicle Defect? The Answer May Not Be Obvious

Most people assume car accidents are caused by driver error. But in some cases, the real cause is a failure inside the vehicle itself — a brake that didn't respond, an airbag that malfunctioned, or a steering system that failed at the worst possible moment. If you were injured in an accident in Santa Clarita, California, and something about the crash didn't feel right, it may be worth asking a different question: was the vehicle defective?

At the Law Office of Robert M. Mansour, we help clients identify whether a hidden vehicle defect may have caused or worsened their injuries. We have attorneys in our network who focus heavily on these types of cases.

What Is an Auto Defect Injury Case?

An auto defect case is different from a typical car accident claim. Instead of focusing only on driver negligence, these cases involve product liability law, which holds manufacturers and related parties responsible when a defective vehicle or component causes harm. In many situations, you may have a claim against another driver and a claim against a manufacturer or parts supplier — these cases often overlap and require careful evaluation.

Common Types of Vehicle Defects

Auto defects generally fall into three main categories:
  1. Design defects: a flaw in how the vehicle or part was designed, making it inherently unsafe (for example, vehicles prone to rollover accidents)
  2. Manufacturing defects: errors during production that make a specific vehicle or component dangerous (for example, improperly installed brakes or faulty airbags)
  3. Failure to warn: when a manufacturer fails to disclose known risks or provide proper instructions (for example, failing to warn about a known tire defect)

California recognizes two distinct legal tests for proving a design defect, established in Barker v. Lull Engineering Co. (1978) 20 Cal.3d 413: the consumer expectations test (whether the product failed to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect) and the risk-benefit test (once a plaintiff shows the design caused their injury, the manufacturer must prove the design's benefits outweighed its risks). Manufacturing defect claims, by contrast, are generally more straightforward — if a specific vehicle or part deviated from the manufacturer's own design specifications, that deviation itself can establish the defect.

Examples of Auto Defects That Cause Injuries

Defective vehicle components can lead to serious accidents or make injuries worse, including brake failures, airbag malfunctions (failure to deploy or over-deployment), tire blowouts or tread separation, steering system failures, seatbelt or restraint system defects, door latch failures, seatback collapse, and fuel system or electrical failures. When a vehicle doesn't perform as expected, the consequences can be severe, especially at highway speeds.

When an Auto Defect Doesn't Cause the Crash — But Makes It Worse

One of the most important, and often overlooked, concepts in these cases is "crashworthiness." Even if another driver caused the accident, a defective vehicle can increase the severity of injuries — a seatbelt fails during impact, a roof collapses in a rollover, a door opens unexpectedly, or an airbag deploys improperly. In these situations, the defect may not have caused the crash, but it may have made the injuries significantly worse.

Why Auto Defect Cases Require a Different Approach

Auto defect cases are often far more complex than typical accident claims. They may involve engineers and accident reconstruction experts, vehicle inspections and data analysis, large manufacturers and corporate legal teams, and technical documentation and recall history. These cases are not just about what happened — they're about why it happened. Building a strong case typically means documenting the defect itself, securing detailed medical records and expert testimony connecting the defect to your injuries, reviewing any independent testing, recall history, or consumer complaints related to the same defect, and showing whether the manufacturer knew about the risk and failed to address it.

A Strategic Advantage in Complex Cases

Robert Mansour brings a unique perspective from his experience defending insurance companies earlier in his career. This helps clients understand how claims are evaluated behind the scenes, identify when something doesn't add up, avoid premature conclusions about fault, and explore whether a defect played a role. You'll receive clear, honest insight, not assumptions.

Common Manufacturer Defenses

Vehicle manufacturers often raise one or more of these defenses in a product liability case:
  1. User error: arguing the injuries or accident were caused by improper maintenance or misuse of the vehicle
  2. Assumption of risk: claiming the consumer was aware of a potential risk and chose to accept it anyway
  3. Alternative design defense: in a design defect case evaluated under the risk-benefit test, arguing that a safer alternative design wasn't feasible without unacceptable cost, weight, or performance trade-offs
  4. Statute of limitations: arguing the claim was filed too late
  5. Lack of causation: disputing the link between the defect and the injuries claimed

Signs Your Accident May Involve a Vehicle Defect

You may want to explore an auto defect claim if your brakes or steering didn't respond properly, an airbag failed to deploy or deployed incorrectly, a tire suddenly failed without warning, a door opened unexpectedly during the crash, the vehicle behaved unpredictably before the crash, or your injuries seem more severe than expected for the type of accident. Even if you're not sure, it may be worth asking the question.

About Collision Avoidance Technology

Collision avoidance technology (CAT) in some cars is designed to help prevent or reduce the severity of crashes using sensors, cameras, and algorithms, as part of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes:
  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): applies the brakes automatically if a collision is imminent
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW): warns the driver of an upcoming collision without braking automatically
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA): monitors lane markings and warns or corrects if the vehicle drifts without signaling
  • Blind Spot Detection: monitors blind spots and signals if a vehicle is present in an adjacent lane
  • Cross-Traffic Alert: warns of approaching traffic, particularly useful when backing out of a parking spot

Like any technology, these systems aren't infallible. Sensor limitations from weather conditions, calibration issues, overreliance by drivers, and false positives or negatives can all affect performance. If a collision avoidance system failed to warn, failed to intervene, or behaved erratically, that failure may itself be relevant to a claim — particularly if regular maintenance and calibration were kept up but the system still didn't perform as expected.

About Center Airbags

While not yet widely implemented, center-mounted airbags — deploying from the console between the driver and front passenger — are an emerging safety feature aimed at reducing head and upper-body injuries in side-impact collisions and preventing occupants from colliding with each other. As with any safety feature, effectiveness depends on the specific design, the force of the collision, and the vehicle's overall safety system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a car manufacturer for an accident?

Yes, if a defective vehicle or component caused or contributed to your injuries.

Do I still have a case if another driver caused the crash?

Possibly. You may have multiple claims involving both the driver and the manufacturer.

What if there was a recall?

A recall can be important evidence, but even without one, a defect may still exist.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In most cases, California law allows two years from the date of injury. This time limit can change, so check with a lawyer.

Serving Santa Clarita and Surrounding Communities

We assist clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Frazier Park, Acton, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Castaic.

Talk to a Santa Clarita Auto Defect Attorney Today

Not every accident is as simple as it appears. If you suspect something went wrong with a vehicle or component, it's worth taking a closer look. Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

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