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Rental Car Deaths Force National Law Change A Decade Later

Over a decade ago, two young women from the City of Santa Cruz, CA were driving a rental vehicle when they lost their lives in a tragic car accident. While on the highway, the rental car swerved over the median and collided with an 18-wheeler. The cause of accident was not an issue of driving, rather one of negligence. The car being driven by the two young women was a particular model that had been recalled over a loss of power steering many years ago. The rental company, however, had never bothered to fix the issues surrounding the recall and continued to rent it out to its customers. Although unethical, what the rental company did at the time was not illegal, but thanks to a new law this month, many needless tragedies will be avoided in the future.

Placing a Stop on Defective Rental Cars

Beginning June 1st, 2016, rental car agencies must fix any and all open safety defects before renting out vehicles to customers. In the past, there were no existing federal regulations that required car rental agencies fix open safety defects. Under this new law, car rental companies will no longer be able to rent out defective vehicles to customers before fixing them first and making sure that they are safe to operate. In addition to this new requirement, the National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) will now have the power to investigate and punish rental car companies who violate car safety laws.

The auto accident tragedy that sparked the passing of the new law is not just a minor and standalone incident. In 2014 alone, there were close to 900 recalls affecting 51 million vehicles nationwide. While many of these recalls can present minor issues, others can have the potential to have life-ending consequences.

Other Dangerously Defective Automobile Parts

Presently, there are millions of defective air bags across the country. The Takata airbag recall, the largest auto recall in history, affects over 34 million vehicles on the road. This one recall alone affects nearly two-dozen automobile brands. Under the Takata airbag recall, the defective issue involves the airbag’s inflator. The inflator was designed to rapidly expand the airbag in the event of a vehicular collision. It does this by sparking a chemical reaction in the airbag that causes the gases to expand.

When the airbag works properly, the inflated airbag will help to prevent serious bodily injury or death in the event of a front facing collision. When a defective Takata airbag expands, it can send shrapnel through the airbag and into the face of the driver or passenger. These defective airbags have ultimately caused serious lacerations to over 100 people and 10 deaths in the United States so far.

Types of Damages Resulting From Defective Automobile Parts

Undergoing a car accident can quickly result in a multitude of grievances. When the auto accident is caused by a defective auto part, the grievances are always unnecessary and demand justice. A person who has undergone an auto accident that was caused by a defective auto part can experience the following:

Bodily injuries – Physical injuries can vary from mild to catastrophic. Some auto accidents can cause whiplash, broken or fractured bones, injured spinal cords, head trauma, or skin lacerations.

Mental health deficiencies – Whether cognitive issues are the direct result of the impact, mental health issues can arise from the sheer experience of the accident. The trauma and distress can be severe enough to cause issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

Loss of income – When an auto accident has caused sufficient bodily harm, the victim may be left with the inability to earn an income.

Loss of quality of life – Similarly, those who have undergone catastrophic injuries can suffer the inability to engage in activities they may have engaged in prior to the accident. A victim who frequently participated in marathons and then became paralyzed after an accident is an extreme example of a loss of quality of life.

Medical expenses and medication costs – Whether a person’s injury is mild or severe, medical bills can quickly escalate. Depending on the injury, however, some medical expenses can last a lifetime. Some of the most common medical expenses involve medications, therapy, rehabilitation, ambulance costs, medical equipment, or specialized medical care.

Liability and Financial Compensation For Car Defects

Vehicle and vehicle part makers have an obligation to ensure that their products are reasonably safe. These manufacturing companies also have the duty to warn consumers of potential dangers, whether these dangers are existing or otherwise occur at a later date. When these companies fail to observe these obligations, the injured parties could be entitled to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Auto accidents caused by defective auto parts can be catastrophic. Contingent on the details of the case, the lawsuit can be filed against the car manufacturer, defective part designer, auto distributor, or auto dealer. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, the driver and passengers alike can fight to obtain financial compensation for their injuries and damages. Auto part manufacturers or designers should be held responsible when their flawed product has caused the injury of another.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Defective Auto Part Has Caused Your Injury

Defective car parts only increase the risk of serious injury and death in a car accident. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident that involved a recalled vehicle, there may be a question of liability on the part of the manufacturer of the vehicle and the car part. It takes an experienced auto accident attorney in Chino and Chino Hills to properly investigate these types of auto accident claims. Do not wait to consult with a San Bernardino personal injury attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Justin King. Our skilled staff can help you with all of your auto accident injury claim needs. Recalled cars pose serious dangers; consult with a San Bernardino auto accident attorney who can represent your rights. You can learn more about our Products Liability Representation or contact us for a no cost, no obligation case analysis.

Categories : Auto Accidents, Products Liability

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CRCR
17:05 25 Oct 24
Thank you so much to Oliver King and Garrett Tuckerman for helping me with my case. They've been outstanding. Although the process was overwhelming, I felt reassured, supported, and listened to. I highly recommend the Law offices of Justin King to anyone who needs help.
Savana MartinezSavana Martinez
18:30 04 Sep 24
The team at Law Office of Justin King went above and beyond with my case.It was my first big automobile accident while being 6 months pregnant and I was terrified. I called them the same day and they took on my case immediately.Throughout the whole process they were communicative and on top of everything. I would recommend to everyone and would go back to them again if need be.Thank you to this amazingly firm !
Hate NineHate Nine
06:01 04 Sep 24
Wow! I can't say enough good things about the Law Offices of Justin King. Attitude starts at the top, & this firm is top tier. They represented me (& yes we won!) for an injury I sustained while riding my motorcycle westbound on the 10. Someone changed lanes without looking, which resulted in a knee injury, a lot of physical therapy, & a totaled motorcycle. I wasn't sure what to do or if this were even something worth pursuing. I found Justin's webpage & sent a quick message to him on a Saturday night then thought nothing of it. My first call from Justin was Sunday morning. I was immediately impressed. After hearing a bit of my story & asking a few questions I was ready to have Justin represent me. My first question was "How much do I need to come up with to get this started? Justin replied, you don't owe anything until we win. Not unless, until. That set the tone of the next 2 years of my life. As your case progresses it'll require work from you & a whole team working to represent you. Staci will call & let you know she's emailing documents that require signatures; Garrett will call to ask for details they need to understand & yes, he will call to remind you that you forgot to sign a document 3 days earlier. These are great people who genuinely care. They will take time to understand your needs & they communicate every step of the way. If you are injured, you need to call Justin & his team right away. You will not be disappointed!Google only allows 5 stars, but these guys deserve 10!
Vivian GarciaVivian Garcia
01:00 15 Aug 24
I was involved in my first big automobile accident last year, in Yorba Linda. I was a bit overwhelmed as you can imagine. Friends suggested that I hire an attorney to handle my case and I was not quite sure how to proceed. I was very fortunate when I was referred to Justin King’s office.I met with Mr. King and found him to be very personable and he listened to my concerns. I felt very comfortable and confident that he would help me in getting a fair outcome to my case.I want to also thank Garrett Tuckerman for all he did in keeping me updated with everything going on with my case and for being there whenever I had any questions or concerns. I also want to mention Leoni Barrera who was always pleasant and supportive when I called.I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King for your personal injury needs. I feel that Mr. King and his whole staff, with their knowledge, expertise and professionalism will help make your experience a less stressful one.
Lisa PerchezLisa Perchez
21:53 29 Jul 24
Last July I was struck by a falling case of liquor at Total Wine in Rancho Cucamonga which led to a slip and fall. My friends and family urged me to contact a lawyer after discovering I needed surgery to repair my broken wrist. A friend found Justin King on Google. Justin was compassionate, accessible, and took charge from the very first meeting. He was able to obtain the surveillance video capturing the entire incident, and made an appointment for me to see a prominent neurologist after the video showed the case struck the front of my head. The entire staff at The Law Offices of Justin H. King were very easy to work with, and I always felt like my case was getting personal attention. Thank you Garrett, Staci, and Leoni! My case went to mediation and settled for more than 3x what they originally offered. If you have been injured in an accident, I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King.
Leslie S.Leslie S.
18:26 13 Jul 24
I want to thank Justin and his amazing office. They made a very traumatic/ nightmare of a situation into a more bearable situation every step of the way. They kept us updated and we were reassured that we were in good hands. I want to also express my gratitude to Garrett for being so empathic and supportive through the ups and downs that comes with a case. We are so blessed to have had them handle our case. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a professional and dependable office. Thank you again Justin King Office!!!
Melinda JordanMelinda Jordan
09:02 18 Dec 22
I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.
Marjorie HarrisMarjorie Harris
04:14 18 Dec 22
After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.
Sheila HughesSheila Hughes
03:45 18 Dec 22
I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.
Margaret JamesMargaret James
04:43 01 Dec 22
Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.
Wm HollandWm Holland
06:13 17 Nov 22
When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.
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CRCR
17:05 25 Oct 24
Thank you so much to Oliver King and Garrett Tuckerman for helping me with my case. They've been outstanding. Although the process was overwhelming, I felt reassured, supported, and listened to. I highly recommend the Law offices of Justin King to anyone who needs help.
Savana MartinezSavana Martinez
18:30 04 Sep 24
The team at Law Office of Justin King went above and beyond with my case.It was my first big automobile accident while being 6 months pregnant and I was terrified. I called them the same day and they took on my case immediately.Throughout the whole process they were communicative and on top of everything. I would recommend to everyone and would go back to them again if need be.Thank you to this amazingly firm !
Hate NineHate Nine
06:01 04 Sep 24
Wow! I can't say enough good things about the Law Offices of Justin King. Attitude starts at the top, & this firm is top tier. They represented me (& yes we won!) for an injury I sustained while riding my motorcycle westbound on the 10. Someone changed lanes without looking, which resulted in a knee injury, a lot of physical therapy, & a totaled motorcycle. I wasn't sure what to do or if this were even something worth pursuing. I found Justin's webpage & sent a quick message to him on a Saturday night then thought nothing of it. My first call from Justin was Sunday morning. I was immediately impressed. After hearing a bit of my story & asking a few questions I was ready to have Justin represent me. My first question was "How much do I need to come up with to get this started? Justin replied, you don't owe anything until we win. Not unless, until. That set the tone of the next 2 years of my life. As your case progresses it'll require work from you & a whole team working to represent you. Staci will call & let you know she's emailing documents that require signatures; Garrett will call to ask for details they need to understand & yes, he will call to remind you that you forgot to sign a document 3 days earlier. These are great people who genuinely care. They will take time to understand your needs & they communicate every step of the way. If you are injured, you need to call Justin & his team right away. You will not be disappointed!Google only allows 5 stars, but these guys deserve 10!
Vivian GarciaVivian Garcia
01:00 15 Aug 24
I was involved in my first big automobile accident last year, in Yorba Linda. I was a bit overwhelmed as you can imagine. Friends suggested that I hire an attorney to handle my case and I was not quite sure how to proceed. I was very fortunate when I was referred to Justin King’s office.I met with Mr. King and found him to be very personable and he listened to my concerns. I felt very comfortable and confident that he would help me in getting a fair outcome to my case.I want to also thank Garrett Tuckerman for all he did in keeping me updated with everything going on with my case and for being there whenever I had any questions or concerns. I also want to mention Leoni Barrera who was always pleasant and supportive when I called.I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King for your personal injury needs. I feel that Mr. King and his whole staff, with their knowledge, expertise and professionalism will help make your experience a less stressful one.
Lisa PerchezLisa Perchez
21:53 29 Jul 24
Last July I was struck by a falling case of liquor at Total Wine in Rancho Cucamonga which led to a slip and fall. My friends and family urged me to contact a lawyer after discovering I needed surgery to repair my broken wrist. A friend found Justin King on Google. Justin was compassionate, accessible, and took charge from the very first meeting. He was able to obtain the surveillance video capturing the entire incident, and made an appointment for me to see a prominent neurologist after the video showed the case struck the front of my head. The entire staff at The Law Offices of Justin H. King were very easy to work with, and I always felt like my case was getting personal attention. Thank you Garrett, Staci, and Leoni! My case went to mediation and settled for more than 3x what they originally offered. If you have been injured in an accident, I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King.
Leslie S.Leslie S.
18:26 13 Jul 24
I want to thank Justin and his amazing office. They made a very traumatic/ nightmare of a situation into a more bearable situation every step of the way. They kept us updated and we were reassured that we were in good hands. I want to also express my gratitude to Garrett for being so empathic and supportive through the ups and downs that comes with a case. We are so blessed to have had them handle our case. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a professional and dependable office. Thank you again Justin King Office!!!
Melinda JordanMelinda Jordan
09:02 18 Dec 22
I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.
Marjorie HarrisMarjorie Harris
04:14 18 Dec 22
After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.
Sheila HughesSheila Hughes
03:45 18 Dec 22
I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.
Margaret JamesMargaret James
04:43 01 Dec 22
Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.
Wm HollandWm Holland
06:13 17 Nov 22
When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.
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