Product liability is the area of law that holds the companies behind a product responsible when that product injures someone. If a tool, vehicle, medication, appliance, or any other item causes harm because it was made, designed, or labeled in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous, the people in the chain that put it on the market can be answerable for the injury.
This section covers injuries caused by defective products: recalls, the mass tort cases that grow out of a widely sold product, and the vehicle technology cases that come up when driver assistance or automation fails. Each page explains what went wrong with the product and who may be responsible.
vehicle tech 5 pages
Driver assistance, automation and collision systems, and who is responsible when they fail.
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Exploring the Benefits of Collision Avoidance Systems
A collision avoidance system (CAS) uses radars, cameras, lasers, and software to detect crash risks and either warn the driver through visual, auditory, or haptic alerts or act directly by braking or steering. Common types include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and blind spot warning. These systems reduce crashes caused by distraction and delayed driver reaction. -
How Can Product Liability Relate to Car Accidents?
A car crash is not always the driver's fault — sometimes a defective part causes it. Product liability is a manufacturer's legal responsibility for injuries caused by a defective product, and it applies to vehicles and components like brakes, tires, airbags, and seat belts. When a defect causes a wreck, the injured person may have a claim against the maker, not just the other driver. -
The Truth About Tesla’s Autopilot and Self-Driving Claims
Tesla's Autopilot, Advanced Autopilot, and Full Self-Driving are driver-assistance systems, not fully autonomous driving. Tesla designed all three for an attentive driver with hands on the wheel, ready to take control. Despite the FSD name, the system rates only SAE Level 2 of six automation levels. Reported problems include crashes and phantom braking, and the NHTSA has ordered manufacturers to report ADAS-involved crashes. -
What are lane departure systems?
A lane departure system is a collision avoidance feature that uses cameras to track lane markings and detect when a vehicle drifts out of its lane. Basic versions alert the driver with a warning; more advanced versions actively steer the vehicle back into the lane. The technology helps prevent sideswipe collisions and rollovers, and repeated warnings can signal that a driver is too fatigued to keep driving. -
Who Is Liable in a Self-Driving Car Accident?
Liability for a self-driving car crash can fall on the vehicle manufacturer, the software developer behind the autonomous system, or the human driver — sometimes more than one. The right defendant depends on what failed: defective hardware, faulty software, or a distracted operator who was supposed to stay in control. Most consumer vehicles are only partly automated, so the person behind the wheel often still bears responsibility.
general 3 pages
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About The Subaru Electrical System Recall
In late 2022, Subaru issued a voluntary recall of 271,694 Subaru Ascent SUVs over a fire risk in the electrical system. Improperly secured ground bolts could let a terminal overheat and melt nearby components. The issue surfaced through smoke and fire reports between 2020 and 2022, and Subaru linked it to a production tool change. No crashes or injuries were reported at the time of the recall. -
McDonald's Hot Coffee Lawsuit: The Real Story
The McDonald's hot coffee case was not a frivolous money grab. A 79-year-old woman suffered second- and third-degree burns from coffee served at 180-190 degrees, first asked only for her medical bills, and won because McDonald's knew of 700 prior burns and refused to act. -
Ram Tailgate Recall: What You Need to Know
In December 2022, Stellantis issued a voluntary recall of roughly 1.23 million Dodge Ram trucks because misaligned tailgate strikers could let tailgates open unexpectedly, risking lost cargo and traffic hazards. This page identifies the affected Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 models built between 2018 and 2022, notes exclusions like multifunction tailgates and Ram 1500 Classics, and explains the latch-and-striker defect behind the recall.