Tag Archives: Chicago auto defect

Fiat Chrysler Issues Minivan Recall

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Multiple news outlets reported this week that Fiat Chrysler has issued a recall of 208,000 Pacifica minivans due to a power-assisted steering and engine stall issues. The company stated that a wiring harness can become contaminated with sealer, causing an electrical short-circuit, which can increase the risk of a car crash. The company also stated that if the engines stall they can be restarted immediately, and the vehicles can still be steered without power steering, but it takes more effort.

Luckily, to date, no traffic accidents or traffic fatalities have been reported. If you own one of these vehicle, please take your vehicle in to your dealer to have it serviced and the parts replaced immediately.

In cases like this, where an auto accident occurs due to a malfunction from the from the vehicle’s equipment and it can proved that the malfunction caused the accident to occur, then the manufacturer can ultimately be liable for any damages. These are typically considered “auto defect” cases, where the injured party files suit against the automaker and at times the manufacturer and distributor of the actual piece of equipment that is deemed defective. If you have been injured by what appears to be an auto defect, then you should consult an attorney immediately.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured due to a Chicago auto defect or a Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Hyundai To Recall 20,000 Veloster Cars Amid Fire Concerns

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The Associated Press reported last week that Korean automaker, Huyndai, has recalled 20,000 Veloster vehicles after finding a new problem that can cause its car engines to fail or catch fire. The issue is apparently fuel can prematurely ignite in the cylinders around the pistons. That can cause excessive pressure and damage the engine, causing vehicles to stall and in some cases catch fire. This specific issue covers only the 2013 Veloster with 1.6-liter engines. This issue is due to a software problem that has been found only in that model year and not in other Hyundai engines.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), this recall is completely separate from the earlier issues with the Soul SUV, which was recalled in February due to engine fire and engine failure problems, and the previous 1.4 million recalls for other engine issues dating back to 2015.

The Center for Auto Safety says it has found more than 300 Hyundai-Kia fire complaints with the NHTSA, including one death. If you own a Hyundai vehicle that was manufactured in 2010 or later, it is incredibly important to take your vehicle to your dealer, or any Hyundai dealer, to insure that the engine software is replace or any other issues related to these recalls.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago auto defect case, or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Ford Motors Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles For Defects

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Earlier this week Ford Motor Company announced to that they would be recalling almost 1.5 million Lincoln and Ford vehicles. The main culprit appears to be the 2011 – 2013 F-150 trucks that contain 6 speed transmissions. According to press releases, the faulty downshift to first gear has caused 5 accidents thus far. Approximately 1.48 million F-150 vehicles will be recalled

Ford spokespeople stated: ” Depending on vehicle speed, a downshift to first gear without warning could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.” Ford is also recalling 27,000 2017 to 2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles , and 4,200 2019 Ford Mustangs silicon contamination in the door latch, which can prevent it from fully engaging.

It is important to point out that auto accidents caused by auto defects are completely different than your normal car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. If the evidence shows that a car crash was caused by a defect in the vehicle (as described above in the F-150 trucks), then the injured party can make a claim or ultimately file a lawsuit based on the auto defect. The complaint will include a count in their complaint against the auto maker alleging the auto defect caused the accident and the resulting damages. In Illinois, a plaintiff must plead and prove that (1) the injury or damage resulted from a condition of the product manufactured or sold by the defendant, (2) that the condition was an unreasonably dangerous one, and (3) that the condition existed at the time the product left the manufacturer’s control. This may sound easy on its’ face, but auto makers and other manufacturers of products defend these cases fiercely, specifically by hiring high paid experts to argue that either to product wasn’t unreasonably dangerous or it didn’t cause the injuries in question. It is important to consult with an attorney if you believe you were injured by an auto defect.

If you or a loved one were injured by a Chicago auto defect or involved in a Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Self-Driving Tesla Involved in Fatal Traffic Accident

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Self driving cars are the wave of the future. That is what you will hear from the people at Google and electric car manufacturer, Tesla. Manufacturers state that the technology is foolproof and completely safe. Unfortunately, this may not be true as of yet. News hit the wires over the weekend that a motorist whose Tesla vehicle was on autopilot while driving in Florida, was involved in a fatal car crash with semi tractor trailer.  According to news reports On May 7th at 3:40 p.m. on U.S. in Williston, Florida, 45-year-old Joshua Brown was killed when his Tesla Model S went under the trailer of an 18-wheel semi and the roof of his car was torn off by the impact.

According to Tesla’s press release, this is their assessment of what happened:

“Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also responded fatal traffic accident on twitter. He stated that the Tesla’s radar did not detect the truck because of its height, and thus the radar probably confused it with an overhead traffic sign.

This is obviously a sad and tragic event. But it also proves that self driving cars are not immune to car accidents, let alone traffic fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating the accident. How does this event affect the family and/or estate of the deceased driver? Well, if it is found that the truck was at fault for negligently pulling out in front of the deceased, then the truck driver could be held accountable in a normal negligence and wrongful death cause of action. The family could also sue Tesla under a product liability or auto defect count. Their attorneys could plead and argue (with expert testimony) that Tesla’s safety system was defectively designed and built because it could not properly detect the difference between a truck and an overhead highway traffic sign.

Regardless, I believe it is fair to say the self driving vehicles are not completely safe and there may need to be modifications as the technology moves forward.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or from a Chicago auto defect, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.

Star Trek Actor Died In Vehicle That Was Recently Recalled For Auto Defect

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Multiple news outlets reported over the weekend about the freak and tragic death of Hollywood actor, Anton Yelchin, who died when his Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backwards in his driveway and pinned him against his mailbox pillar and security fence.

It turns out that the 2015 Jeep Cherokee was recently recalled for an auto defect based on complaints from drivers who had trouble telling if they had put the automatic transmissions in park. If they were not in park and a driver left the vehicle, it could roll away.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles was announced by automaker Fiat Chrysler in April.  As of April, the company had reports of 212 crashes, 41 injuries and 308 property damage claims potentially caused by the shifters, it said in documents filed with the government.

The recalled vehicles, including nearly 812,000 in the U.S., have an electronic shift lever that toggles forward or backward to let the driver select the gear instead of moving along a track like a conventional shifter. A light shows which gear is selected, but to get from drive to park, drivers must push the lever forward three times. The Grand Cherokee gear shifters were changed in the 2016 model year so that it works like those in older cars.

It is unclear at this time as to whether the defective gear shift was involved in Mr. Yelchin’s death or whether he had received the recall letter from Chrysler.

If you drive a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it is highly urged that you take the vehicle into your dealer for defective gear to be replaced.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago auto defect case or Chicago traffic accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron J. Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.