Vehicle Recalls Continue to Climb

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers weigh in on the increasing number of vehicle recalls. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), consumers should check to see if their vehicle is on a recall list at least once a year. That is because the number of safety recalls has spiked in recent years, with over 53 million passenger vehicles recalled in 2016 alone.

While many consumers are concerned that this rise in recalls means that vehicles are becoming less safe and reliable, that depends on a number of factors, including the model of the car, and if it is an older model. However, the number of vehicles on the road that have unresolved recalls can cause a significant safety hazard.

One of the most widely publicized recalls in automotive history is the Takata airbag recall. The defective inflator caused at least 16 fatalities and the company has since filed for bankruptcy. However, there are many other, less publicized recalls that have also caused serious injuries and fatalities. This includes the faulty ignition switch on 30 million GM cars, which caused 124 deaths.

Part of the reason for these record high recalls is that automakers are using many of the same parts in multiple models. As a result, when a defective auto part is recalled, it often effects a larger number of vehicles. In addition, there is more self-reporting then in previous years, due to stricter oversight by the NHTSA and the Department of Justice.

Recall Notification Tools

Notifying consumers about recalls is a major roadblock. According to the chief technical compliance officer for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, it can be challenging to locate the current owner, because a vehicle may have had multiple owners over the years. To address this problem, the state of Maryland applied for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, which would enable them to alert consumers about open recalls when they register their vehicle. While the program does not necessarily prevent someone from renewing a registration, it promotes safety and offers important information as part of the registration process.

Another notification tool that is available to consumers is the search tool available at www.freeautorecallsearch.org. This allows authorized users to search for open recalls and get immediate results. In addition to consumers, state departments of motor vehicles, state vehicle registrars, state vehicle inspection programs, insurers, car dealers, motor vehicle finance companies, and vehicle auction companies will be able to use this free tool to find open recalls. By connecting consumers to this important information easily and at no cost, it helps protect them from potentially dangerous accidents associated with defective parts.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Assist Clients with Car Accidents Related to Product Recalls

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident involving a vehicle that has an open recall that the other driver failed to address, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. When consumers are not notified about potentially dangerous product defects, it can lead to serious car accidents and life-threatening injuries. Our dedicated team will determine who is responsible for your injuries and hold them liable for their actions. We will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.