How To Prove A Vehicle Defect Caused Your Accident In Michigan
As Detroit car accident attorneys, we have seen many serious crashes caused not by driver error but by a hidden mechanical or design flaw in the vehicle itself. A tire blowout, a failed airbag, a defective brake system, or a steering malfunction can turn an ordinary drive into a catastrophic event within seconds. When an auto defect contributes to an accident, victims often face complex legal issues that involve both product liability law and Michigan’s no-fault insurance system. Understanding how to prove a vehicle defect caused your crash is critical to holding the manufacturer or other responsible parties accountable under Michigan law.
Understanding Vehicle Defects And How They Cause Accidents
A vehicle defect can arise from several stages of a car’s creation or maintenance—its design, manufacturing process, or even the way it is distributed or repaired. Common examples include faulty braking systems, steering failures, defective tires, electrical fires, or airbags that deploy without warning. In other cases, safety features fail to activate during a collision, worsening injuries that could have been prevented.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.2945 through § 600.2949, manufacturers and sellers can be held liable for injuries caused by defective products. To succeed in a vehicle defect claim, we must demonstrate that the product was not reasonably safe when it left the manufacturer’s control and that the defect directly caused or enhanced the injuries suffered.
Michigan’s Product Liability Standard
Michigan’s product liability law requires proof that a defect existed at the time the vehicle left the manufacturer’s control and that a safer, practical, and feasible alternative design was available. We work with engineering specialists and crash reconstruction professionals to evaluate the vehicle and determine whether the design, materials, or assembly process failed to meet reasonable safety expectations.
Under MCL § 600.2946(2), a manufacturer is presumed not liable if the vehicle met federal
safety standards at the time of production; however, this presumption can be overcome with evidence that the standards were inadequate or that the defect posed unreasonable risks beyond what those standards addressed. This provision highlights the importance of detailed technical evidence, which we collect through expert evaluation and manufacturer records obtained during discovery.
How Michigan’s No-Fault Law Interacts With Defect Claims
Even when a defect causes an accident, injured motorists are still entitled to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act. PIP benefits cover necessary medical expenses, rehabilitation, and wage loss regardless of fault. However, when a serious impairment of body function or permanent disfigurement occurs, victims may file a third-party negligence claim under MCL § 500.3135 against the responsible manufacturer, distributor, or repair facility.
This interaction between no-fault and product liability law means victims can recover immediate
benefits through their own insurance and still pursue a broader damages claim for pain, suffering, and long-term losses caused by the defect.
Proving That A Vehicle Defect Caused The Accident
To establish that a defect caused a crash, we must show both the existence of the defect and its direct role in producing the collision or injury. The process usually involves:
- Preserving the Vehicle – The car must be stored safely and left unaltered after the crash to allow detailed inspection.
- Gathering Evidence – This includes photographs, crash data recorders (black boxes), maintenance records, and recall information.
- Consulting Mechanical and Design Analysts – Professionals examine whether the component in question failed under normal use and whether the failure was foreseeable.
- Linking Cause and Effect – The defect must be proven as the direct or substantial cause of the accident, not just a coincidental malfunction.
When successful, these cases often expose systemic safety issues that lead to recalls or broader legal actions.
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Vehicle Defect
Under Michigan law, several entities may share responsibility for a defective vehicle. The manufacturer may be liable for design flaws or defective assembly; the distributor or dealer may be liable if they failed to inspect or warn of known issues; and repair shops may face liability for negligent maintenance that worsened a known hazard. Under MCL § 600.2947(6), sellers can also be held responsible if they made misleading statements about safety or concealed known defects.
Damages Available In Michigan Vehicle Defect Cases
Victims injured due to a defective vehicle may recover a wide range of damages. Economic damages include medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost income. Non-economic damages, available when the threshold injury under MCL § 500.3135(1) is met, cover pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, families may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and funeral expenses under MCL § 600.2922.
Our firm works to ensure that the full impact of the defect, physical, emotional, and financial, is documented and presented effectively. We have seen how manufacturers often deny responsibility or claim the driver caused the accident. That is why timely legal representation and thorough technical analysis are crucial in these complex cases.
Protecting Your Rights After A Suspected Defect-Related Crash
If you suspect that a mechanical issue or design defect contributed to your accident, do not allow the vehicle to be destroyed or repaired before it is inspected. Evidence can disappear quickly, and once the car is altered, proving the defect becomes more difficult. Contacting an attorney early allows us to preserve the vehicle, engage experts, and begin building a case before critical information is lost.
As Detroit car accident attorneys, we believe that no one should suffer because of a dangerous or defective vehicle. Holding manufacturers accountable not only helps victims recover damages—it also forces companies to prioritize safety for every driver on Michigan’s roads.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Defect Accidents In Michigan
How Can I Tell If A Vehicle Defect Caused My Accident?
You may notice warning signs such as sudden loss of steering, unexpected acceleration, brake failure, or airbag malfunction. After a crash, we recommend preserving the vehicle immediately for professional inspection. Our team works with mechanical engineers who can analyze the car’s systems and determine whether a component failed. We also review manufacturer recall databases and compare your vehicle’s history against known safety bulletins.
Can I Still File A Claim If My Vehicle Was Recalled?
Yes. Even if a recall exists, manufacturers can still be held liable if the defect caused your injuries before repairs were made or if they failed to provide timely notice. Under Michigan product liability law, the existence of a recall does not automatically shield the company from liability—it can actually strengthen your claim by proving the manufacturer’s prior knowledge of the issue.
What Types Of Compensation Are Available In A Michigan Vehicle Defect Case?
Victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, future rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering damages. If the accident caused a fatality, the victim’s family can pursue a wrongful death action under MCL § 600.2922. Each case depends on the severity of the injuries and how clearly the defect can be proven as the cause.
Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Prevent Me From Suing The Manufacturer?
No. Michigan’s no-fault system provides immediate benefits for medical care and wage loss, but it does not bar lawsuits against third parties, such as manufacturers or distributors, when their negligence or defective products cause serious injury. Victims may pursue both PIP benefits and a separate product liability claim.
How Long Do I Have To File A Vehicle Defect Lawsuit In Michigan?
Under MCL § 600.5805(2), personal injury claims must generally be filed within three years from the date of the accident. Because product liability cases require technical analysis and expert evaluation, acting quickly after the crash helps protect your rights and preserves crucial evidence.
Call Ravid & Associates, P.C. For Help With Defective Vehicle Accident Claims
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we represent victims and families across Michigan who have been seriously injured due to defective or dangerous vehicles. Our firm has extensive experience holding manufacturers, distributors, and negligent repair facilities accountable when their products cause preventable harm.
If you or someone you love has been injured because of a vehicle defect, contact our Detroit defective part accident attorney at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today by calling (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation. We represent clients in Detroit and throughout the entire state of Michigan from our offices in Southfield, Michigan.
