Important Information If Your Vehicle Is Affected By A Manufacturer’s Recall
As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that it's important to take manufacturer's recalls of their vehicles extremely seriously. Regardless of whether you drive a car, truck or ride a motorcycle, getting behind the wheel is statistically the most dangerous thing you will do all day. Unfortunately, here in North Texas, it's impossible to get around without some kind of motor vehicle. Therefore, we instinctively try to avoid potential hazards in order to avoid being in an auto accident.
If your car, bike of truck is affected by a manufacturer's recall that means there is a potential risk of injury caused by a defect to the product you have been sold (in this case your vehicle). It is your duty to ensure that if you get your car inspected and have the problem resolved if you are affected by a recall, otherwise you are potentially putting the safety and wellbeing both of yourself and your family in peril. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 30% of vehicle owners affected by mass recalls fail to get the necessary repairs done to their vehicle. Since these repairs are free, there is really no excuse not to be cautious.
Generally, most big recalls will be well-reported in the media. However, it's always a good idea to be proactive. The NHTSA provides a service where you can register to receive an alert email immediately if your vehicle is affected by a manufacturer's recall. Simply go to www.Safecar.gov and enter your vehicle's details such as make, model and year. Not only can you request an emailed alert in case of a recall, but you can also see a complete recall history for that vehicle. That can be useful information if you purchased your car or motorcycle second hand.
If your vehicle has been recalled, don't wait for an official letter from the manufacturer. It's not uncommon for there to be an extended delay between the initial announcement of the recall and affected owners receiving a notice by mail. In some cases, you might not even receive a letter for whatever reason. The best thing to do is to contact your local dealership as soon as you become aware of the recall so that you can set up an appointment to get your vehicle evaluated and fixed. Every day that you delay getting your car checked out means an extra day that you are putting your life at risk by driving a potentially defective automobile.
There are sometimes situations where there is a known defect in a particular model of car, but it is not deemed serious enough to necessitate a nationwide recall of the vehicle in question. Therefore these "lesser" defects do not become widely-publicized, and if you don't use go to the dealership for your regular maintenance, then you might not be aware of these problems at all. In order to stay aware and up-to-date of any such issues, it's a good idea to sign up for your dealership's "technical service bulletins." Contact your local dealership for information how to do this.
Always take manufacturer's recalls very seriously. Even if you have not noticed any problems personally, never assume that your particular car, truck or motorcycle is unaffected by the issue. Failure to get your vehicle inspected by a recall mechanic might be a fatal mistake.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a defective vehicle, you may be entitled to damages to cover any medical expenses or other costs related to the accident, in addition to compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured. For more information, call the car wreck injuries and wrongful death attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm in DFW for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your case. Call toll free from anywhere in Texas at 800-354-6275 or call locally at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000.
