What are the most common vehicle defects involved in car accident claims in Texas?

The most commonly litigated vehicle defects in Texas car accident claims include brake failures, tire defects and blowouts, airbag malfunctions, steering system failures, rollover-prone design defects, seatbelt failures, and fuel system defects that cause post-crash fires. Electronic control system defects affecting throttle or stability control have also been the subject of major recalls and litigation in recent years.

How is a vehicle defect car accident case different from a regular negligence claim?

A regular car accident claim is based on driver negligence, meaning another driver's failure to exercise reasonable care. A vehicle defect claim is a products liability case based on the manufacturer or seller placing a defective product into the stream of commerce. Products liability claims can be brought under strict liability, meaning you do not need to prove the manufacturer was careless, only that the product was defective and caused your injury.

Can I have both a negligence claim and a vehicle defect claim from the same accident?

Yes. It is common to pursue multiple theories of recovery in the same case. For example, if another driver ran a red light and struck your vehicle, and your airbag also failed to deploy, you may have both a negligence claim against the driver and a products liability claim against the airbag manufacturer. An attorney can investigate all potential sources of liability to maximize your recovery.

Vehicle Defects

Common Types of Vehicle Defects That Cause Accidents

Vehicle defects take many forms, and any one of them can turn an ordinary drive into a life-threatening situation. When a manufacturer, parts supplier, or mechanic introduces a flawed component into the chain of commerce, everyone on the road is at risk. The most common categories of vehicle defects include:

Tire defects such as tread separation, blowouts caused by manufacturing flaws, and sidewall failures rank among the most dangerous because they can cause a driver to lose control at highway speeds. Brake defects including premature brake fade, faulty anti-lock braking systems, and brake line failures prevent drivers from stopping in time to avoid collisions. Airbag defects can be equally devastating—airbags that deploy too late, fail to deploy at all, or explode with excessive force have caused serious injuries and deaths across the country.

Other common defects involve steering system failures that make it impossible to control direction, accelerator malfunctions that cause unintended acceleration, seatbelt failures that leave occupants unrestrained during a crash, and electrical system defects that can cause fires. Roof crush defects in rollover accidents and defective fuel systems that rupture and ignite on impact also cause catastrophic harm.

Who Is Liable for a Vehicle Defect Accident in Texas?

Texas product liability law under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 82 allows injured people to hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers strictly liable for defective products—including vehicles and their component parts. This means you do not have to prove the manufacturer was negligent. You must show that the vehicle had a defect when it left the defendant’s control and that the defect caused your injuries.

Texas law recognizes three types of product defects. A manufacturing defect occurs when a specific unit deviates from its intended design during production—for example, a batch of brake pads made with substandard friction material. A design defect exists when the entire product line is inherently dangerous because of a flaw in its design, such as a fuel tank positioned where it is likely to rupture in a rear-end collision. A marketing defect involves inadequate warnings or instructions, such as failing to warn consumers about a known rollover risk in certain driving conditions.

Multiple parties may share liability in a vehicle defect case. The vehicle manufacturer, the component parts supplier, the dealership that sold the vehicle, and even a mechanic who performed faulty repairs can all be held responsible. An experienced San Antonio car accident attorney can investigate the chain of distribution to identify every responsible party and maximize your recovery.

Injuries Caused by Defective Vehicles

Vehicle defect accidents frequently result in severe injuries because the occupants have little or no warning before the failure occurs. When brakes fail at high speed or a tire blows out on the highway, the resulting crash can be catastrophic. Common injuries in vehicle defect cases include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, neck and cervical injuries, severe burns from fuel system failures, back injuries, crush injuries, internal organ damage, and wrongful death.

Because defective vehicle cases often involve high-speed collisions or rollovers, the medical treatment required is typically extensive. Victims may need emergency surgery, long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, and ongoing pain management. The financial burden of these injuries can be overwhelming, which is why it is critical to pursue full compensation from the responsible parties.

Building a Vehicle Defect Claim

Vehicle defect cases are among the most complex personal injury claims because they require technical evidence, expert analysis, and an understanding of both state and federal safety regulations. Successful claims typically involve preserving the defective vehicle or component as evidence, retaining engineering experts who can analyze the failure, reviewing recall history and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints for similar defects, and obtaining internal documents from the manufacturer through discovery.

Under Texas law, there is a 15-year statute of repose for product liability claims (CPRC Section 16.012), meaning claims must generally be brought within 15 years of the date the product was first sold. The standard two-year statute of limitations under CPRC Section 16.003 also applies from the date of injury. Acting quickly to preserve evidence is essential because vehicles are often repaired, sold, or scrapped before a claim can be investigated.

Compensation Available in Vehicle Defect Cases

Victims of vehicle defect accidents may recover compensation for medical expenses including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future treatment needs. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity are also recoverable, along with pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement.

In cases where the manufacturer knew about the defect and failed to act, Texas law allows recovery of exemplary (punitive) damages under CPRC Section 41.003. These damages are designed to punish egregious corporate misconduct—such as concealing known defects to avoid costly recalls—and to deter similar behavior in the future.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle, the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, P.C. can investigate your case, identify the responsible parties, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your vehicle defect claim.