Broken Car Door Latches and Accidents
It may be the last thing on a lot of people’s minds when they think about car accidents, but defective door latches can – and do – cause a lot of harm. In fact more than 8,000 people are ejected from their vehicles due to door latch failure each year. Injuries resulting from this type of accident can range from minor to severe, and include:
Crashes Caused by Defective Door Latches
- Road rash (serious abrasions)
- Bone fractures
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury that may result in paralysis
If a defective door latch has caused you or a loved one to sustain injuries and other damages in an accident, it is highly recommended that you get in touch with an experienced product liability attorney for legal assistance. Without legal representation, you may face a very difficult time with your recovery.
At Wilshire Law Firm, we help injured clients throughout California get the compensation they need to pay off their medical bills and more. You can discuss the specifics of your accident case with us in a free consultation. All you have to do is call (844) 979-0933 or fill out an online contact form. We will let you know exactly where you stand and what you can do to secure a better financial future for you and your family.
Car Door Latch Stuck: Crash-Worthiness and Negligence
Ever since crash-worthiness regulations for door locks and door retention components were established in the early 1970s (Federal Vehicle Safety Standard 206), automakers have been required to install door latches in their vehicles that can sustain an inertial load of 30 G’s (thirty times the force of gravity) during a crash. Those who are injured due to defective door latches may pursue compensation for their damages.
A door latch can be considered defective in a number of ways, including:
- Flaws in design
- Shoddy manufacturing
- Insufficient warning or direction for safe use
- Mechanical or technological failure
At Wilshire Law Firm, our attorneys work with engineers, medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals to investigate door latch failure cases. We can help you prove the key elements of your claim including cause, liability, and negligence. The manufacturer of the faulty vehicle should pay for your damages, not you. We can make that happen.
Ford Recall for Defective Latches
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of vehicles have been recalled by the Ford Motor Company due to a door latch defect that prevents the door from remaining closed. Affected vehicles are listed below:
- 1997-2000 Ford F-150 trucks
- 1997-2000 Ford Expeditions
- 1997-2000 Ford F-250 Super Light Duty trucks
- 2000 Ford F-150 Super Crew trucks
- Certain 2012-2014 Ford Fiestas
- 2013 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs
- Certain 2014 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs
Search your vehicle’s identification number (VIN) to see if it is affected by a recall. If it is, do not attempt to drive the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to the nearest dealership as soon as you can.
If Your Car Door is Stuck, or Won’t Close, Call the Defective Door Latch Lawyers in California For Help
If you have a viable product liability claim against an auto manufacturer for a defective door latch, it is important that you contact Wilshire Law Firm immediately to get started on your case. We will use the full scope of our legal skills and resources to recover for you the optimal monetary compensation you deserve for your injuries and other accident related expenses. To learn more about what our firm can do for you, contact us today.
