Accidents Caused by Defective Vehicles

General Motors Ignition Defect

GM is responsible for injuries and deaths sustained in accidents caused by a defective ignition switch that suddenly cut off the engine, disabling power steering, power brakes, and airbags. Bob Hilliard, Hilliard Law’s founding partner, was lead counsel in the trial that resulted in a $90 million settlement.

Toyota Sudden Acceleration

Bob went to court to prove that a Toyota Camry accelerated uncontrollably, causing a crash that killed three people. The jury awarded $10.9 to the victims’ family. Bob Hilliard’s huge victory in Trice, et. al v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et. al is the largest U.S. verdict related to death and injury caused by the sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles.

Tire De-Tread

The sudden separation of the outermost tread from the main body of the tire causes a rapid decrease in tire pressure or a blowout. Either situation can send the vehicle out of control or into a rollover accident, which can be lethal. National manufacturers such as Goodyear and Firestone have produced defective tires that failed, causing injurious and fatal accidents. If you suspect your auto accident was the result of tire de-tread, call us. We have years of experience with these cases.

SUV Rollovers

Many Sport Utility Vehicles have a high center of gravity, which makes them prone to rolling over during a crash. Driver and passengers can be seriously injured or killed by impact within the vehicle or by being thrown out of the SUV. The manufacturer’s design flaws are the source of these tragic events, and the SUV-makers must compensate the injured and survivors of those killed. We have successfully taken these powerful corporations to court and made them pay.

Roof Crush

When a rollover accident occurs, the vehicle roof support pillars can fail, allowing the roof to smash into the occupants’ “survival space.” Roof crush injuries often involve the head and neck and may leave the victim paralyzed for life. Our legal team has experience recovering damages from the manufacturer for the emotional and financial burdens caused by these tragic accidents.

ATV Accidents

More than 700 people are killed in All-Terrain Vehicle accidents annually in the U.S. Approximately 136,000 people end up in emergency rooms for injuries sustained in these accidents every year. These vehicles, also known as quads, quad bikes, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, are widely used for family fun, but the fun can turn into tragedy in seconds. 

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an ATV accident, call on us to help — we have successfully tried many similar cases.

Defective Seatbelts

Seatbelts are supposed to save your life in a car crash, but what happens if the seatbelt fails? Serious injury and death can be the result. Common seatbelt failures can involve:

Tension-relieving device — the device that allows the shoulder belt to slacken so the wearer can move comfortably is supposed to stay taut in the event of an accident. If it doesn’t, spine fractures, head injuries, and internal injuries can occur.

Defective buckles — A malfunctioning seatbelt latch is like having no seatbelt; the wearer is not restrained during a crash.  Severe injury or death often result.

Passive restraint systems — Because these systems automatically deploy the shoulder belt, the wearer may forget to secure the lap belt. In an accident, the lack of a lap belt can result in strangulation, injury to the liver, spinal cord injury, and even decapitation.

Contact Our Attorneys Today

At Hilliard Law, our personal injury lawyers have been helping victims of personal injury since 1985. We know how to fight for you. 

Call us at (361) 882-1612 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. If we take your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win.