When Vehicle Design Fails: Can You Sue a Manufacturer After a Side-Impact Crash?

Side-impact crashes—also known as T-bone accidents—are among the most dangerous types of car collisions. They often occur at intersections and leave vehicle occupants exposed to direct force with minimal structural protection. When the damage and injuries seem disproportionate to the severity of the crash, vehicle design flaws may be to blame. In these cases, you may be able to sue the manufacturer under product liability law. Contact our Las Vegas T-Bone Accident Attorneys at Mainor Ellis today.

The Problem with Side-Impact Protection

Unlike front or rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes offer very little “crumple zone” to absorb the force of a collision. This makes airbags, door structure, and side-impact beams critical to keeping occupants safe. Unfortunately, not all vehicles are designed equally. Some models may:

• Lack side-curtain airbags
• Use weak door frames or latches
• Have structural weaknesses in the side panels
• Contain defective seatbelts or faulty sensors

When these components fail to perform as expected during a crash, the manufacturer may be held liable for injuries or deaths resulting from the defect.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability law holds manufacturers and sellers responsible for putting unsafe products into the marketplace. In the context of auto accidents, this includes defective design, manufacturing defects, or a failure to warn about known risks.

In a side-impact crash, you may have a case against a vehicle manufacturer if:

• The vehicle’s side structure collapsed more than it should have
• Airbags failed to deploy (or deployed improperly)
• Seatbelts malfunctioned
• Crashworthiness testing revealed known design issues
• The manufacturer failed to issue a recall or fix a known defect

Real-World Examples

In past lawsuits, car manufacturers have faced major legal claims for side-impact failures. For example, some older vehicles were found to have doors that popped open during crashes, seatbacks that collapsed, or airbags that didn’t deploy at all. These defects often lead to worsened injuries or fatalities that could have been prevented with proper design and safety features.

Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit in Nevada

If you were injured in a T-bone crash in Las Vegas and suspect a design flaw contributed to your injuries, it’s important to act quickly. Product liability cases are complex and require extensive investigation, including crash reconstruction, engineering analysis, and expert testimony.

You may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

At Mainor Ellis, our experienced attorneys work with leading automotive experts to uncover design failures and hold manufacturers accountable for their role in causing or exacerbating injuries.

Contact Mainor Ellis for a Free Case Evaluation

Side-impact crashes can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. If you believe your injuries were made worse by a vehicle design defect, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. Our team at Mainor Ellis is here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you take action against negligent manufacturers.

Source:

leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-695E.html