Importance of Responding to a Vehicle Recall

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers weigh in on defective auto parts and the importance of responding to a vehicle recall notice. In 2017, there were over 30 million automobile recalls involving defective parts. When a company issues a recall, they must notify their customers so that they can take the necessary steps to have the product either repaired or replaced. It is then up to the consumer to make those arrangements.

If a motorist fails to respond to the recall notice and is involved in a car accident that is caused by the defective part, it may have an impact on the outcome of the claim.

Pursuing a Claim After Failing to Respond to a Recall

When a customer receives a recall notice from an automobile manufacturer, there are a number of reasons why he or she may fail to respond to the notice in a timely fashion.

Some customers claim that they did not receive a recall notice in the mail. Others simply forget about the notice after receiving it in the mail, or they forget to schedule an appointment to have the repairs completed or to arrange for a new part to be installed.

There is also the possibility that, if they are not the original owner of the vehicle, the customer may never receive recall information.

Shifting Blame

If the customer was in a car accident before he or she made arrangements to have the defective part fixed, the dealer or the manufacturer may try to place the blame on the customer. They may argue that, once the recall notice is sent, it is the customer’s responsibility to make the repairs.

While this may make the claims process a bit more confusing, the customer may still be eligible for compensation. The following factors can affect the outcome of a settlement:

  • Delivery date of the recall notice: It is important to find out when the recall notice was sent and when the customer received it. If the customer did not receive a notice, he or she cannot be held responsible for having the defective part replaced or repaired.

If the customer did receive a recall notice, but the accident occurred within a day or so after receiving it, this would not allow enough time for the customer to make an appointment and have the repairs made. Therefore, he or she would likely be able to collect compensation.

  • Clarity of recall instructions: Recall notices should include clear instructions about the necessary steps to take to resolve the problem. If the instructions are unclear, or lack important information, the driver may not be held responsible for a lack of response.
  • Customer’s response to the recall notice: If the customer addressed every issue from the recall notice, and was still injured in an accident related to the defective part, it is likely that he or she will be able to collect compensation.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured by Defective Auto Parts

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a defective part, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. If you failed to respond to a product recall, you may still be eligible for compensation. Our experienced team will thoroughly explain the options that are available to you. 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 car accident victims throughout 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.