Product Liability Car Accident Cases in Illinois

At our Chicago law firm, we handle product liability car accident cases involving unsafe vehicles and auto parts that cause serious harm. These cases require a clear understanding of both product liability law and motor vehicle accident litigation.

Our team represents individuals injured by defective autos, working to hold manufacturers, suppliers, and other responsible parties accountable. If your accident involved a defective vehicle, our experienced product liability attorneys are here to guide you through your legal options under Illinois law.

What Is the Illinois Product Liability Law?

In Illinois, product liability is governed by 735 ILCS 5/13-213, which outlines how and when a person can bring a claim for harm caused by a defective product. This statute applies to cases involving motor vehicle defects, including vehicle defects and unsafe auto parts.

It establishes rules for filing claims against a vehicle manufacturer, car dealership, or other potentially liable parties, no matter the type of defect or vehicle involved.

What Types of Product Defects Can Be Grounds for Product Liability Claims?

A car accident claim may involve more than just driver error. Illinois law recognizes three main types of product defects that can cause or worsen crashes.

Design Defects

A design defect means the vehicle or one of its components is dangerous by design, even if manufactured correctly. These flaws affect the entire product line and create safety risks under regular use.

In product liability cases involving car accidents, this might include SUVs prone to rollovers, cars with poor crash protection, or safety systems that fail due to design flaws. If a car accident stems from an unreasonably dangerous design, it may support a product liability lawsuit.

Manufacturing Defects

A manufacturing defect occurs during production, causing a vehicle or part to be assembled incorrectly or with substandard materials. These defects usually affect only certain units rather than the complete product line.

Examples include defective tires, faulty airbags, or brakes installed improperly. In auto products liability cases, the issue is not with the design itself, but with how the part was built. These flaws often cause serious injuries or even permanent disability.

Marketing Defects

Marketing defects involve a failure to provide adequate instructions, clear safety warnings, or proper recall notices. A car dealer, vehicle manufacturer, or parts distributor may be held responsible if they fail to warn users about non-obvious dangers or how to use a product safely.

Poor communication about known risks or vehicle recalls can lead to preventable accidents. An experienced personal injury attorney can help identify all liable parties.

What Defective Auto Parts and Accidents Can Lead to a Product Liability Lawsuit?

Defective vehicle components often play a direct role in causing or worsening accidents. These claims usually involve parts that failed during normal use, either due to poor design, errors in manufacturing, or missing safety information.

Airbags

Airbags are supposed to protect occupants during a crash, but faulty airbags can do the opposite. Some deploy too forcefully, too late, or not at all. Others release shrapnel, causing additional injuries. These failures often stem from manufacturing defects or flawed designs, and they can form the basis of a valid product liability case when the airbag’s malfunction contributes to or worsens the crash.

Seatbelts

Seatbelt systems that fail to restrain properly are another common issue in product liability cases. A defective latch, retractor failure, or loose tensioning can make a seatbelt useless in a collision. If a seatbelt appears to be working but malfunctions at a critical moment, it may point to a dangerous product or poor quality control during assembly.

Brake Failure

Brakes are one of the most critical safety systems in any motor vehicle. When they fail due to defective manufacturing, contaminated fluid lines, or faulty sensors, drivers may be unable to slow down or stop. These types of vehicle defects can lead to rear-end crashes, intersection collisions, and severe injuries.

Tire Blowout

A tire blowout can send a vehicle off the road in seconds. If the defective tire was improperly manufactured, stored too long, or made with substandard materials, the company responsible for that product may be held accountable. Blowouts often stem from defects in manufacturing and can create life-threatening situations, particularly at highway speeds.

Ignition or Electrical Defects

Ignition switch problems or faulty electrical systems can cause vehicles to shut off while driving or spark fires. These failures are frequently linked to defects in design or inadequate warnings about known electrical risks. In many auto products liability cases, ignition or electrical issues play a significant role in causing injuries or preventing safety systems from working.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Case?

In product liability cases involving car accidents, multiple parties may be held responsible depending on how and where the defect occurred.

• Vehicle manufacturers: The vehicle manufacturer is often the first party considered in a lawsuit. If the defective motor vehicle was built with a poor design or unsafe parts, the company that made the vehicle can be found legally responsible for the resulting injuries. This includes defects or a failure to conduct proper safety testing before the car was sold.
• Parts manufacturers: Many components–such as airbags, brakes, and electronics–are produced by third-party companies. If a defective auto part caused the failure, the parts manufacturer may be directly liable. This often occurs when a part is improperly manufactured or contains a hidden flaw missed during quality control.
• Car dealerships and distributors: A car dealer may be liable if they sold a defective vehicle or failed to act on a known vehicle recall. In some cases, dealerships have also installed aftermarket parts that turn out to be unsafe. If they knew or should have known about the defect, they may be included in the product liability case.
• Suppliers and shipping companies: During the production process, parts are transported and stored by various suppliers. If a part is damaged in transit or exposed to conditions that make it unsafe, those handling it may be considered liable in the final legal claim.
• Designers and engineers: When a motor vehicle is made with an unreasonably dangerous design, the individuals or firms responsible for engineering that product may also be named in the case. This is more common in claims involving vehicles whose structure or function increases the risk of injury under regular use.

What Constitutes a Valid Product Liability Claim?

A valid product liability case involving a car accident must meet specific legal requirements under Illinois law.

First, the plaintiff must show that the vehicle or one of its components had a defective product.

Second, the defect must have directly caused or contributed to the crash or the injuries caused.

Third, the vehicle must have been used in a reasonably foreseeable way, even if not precisely as the manufacturer intended.

It’s not enough to show that a vehicle had a flaw; the defect must be clearly linked to the collision or resulting harm. This is where strong evidence becomes critical. Medical documentation helps connect injuries to the incident, while repair reports, photos, and engineering evaluations can support the claim.

In many car accident cases involving product liability, testimony from auto accident expert witnesses is necessary to explain how the defect led to failure, loss of control, or worsened the impact of a crash.

How Long Do Victims Have to File a Product Liability Claim in Illinois?

Illinois generally applies a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-213(b), most product liability claims are barred after 10 years from the product’s first sale to its initial user or 12 years from the date of first sale by a seller, whichever is earlier, unless an express warranty extends that period.

Why You Need an Experienced Product Liability Attorney

In product liability cases involving car accidents, manufacturers and other defendants often argue that the vehicle was altered, misused, or poorly maintained after it left their control. They may claim that the defective product wasn’t the real cause of the crash or that driver error was to blame. Under Illinois law, strict liability may not apply if the product was substantially changed after it was sold, unless that modification was reasonably foreseeable.

These defenses can weaken your case without proper legal support. An experienced product liability lawyer can investigate how the defect occurred, counter claims of misuse, and work with auto accident expert witnesses to establish the cause of the crash. Our Chicago car accident attorneys are skilled in identifying product defects and holding the right parties responsible.

Book a Free Consultation

Insurers often challenge product liability cases, especially when the cause of a crash involves complex mechanical issues. Expert testimony can be essential in proving that a defective product caused the accident and in securing the full compensation you’re entitled to. Our Chicago traffic accident attorneys work closely with engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical experts to present strong, credible evidence. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a possible vehicle defect, contact us to schedule a free consultation.