San Jose Automobile Recall Attorneys
Work With Our Successful Team of Lawyers
According to the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has clear authority to compel manufacturers to recall automobiles that fail to comply with the safety standards. In essence, this means that vehicles that pose a risk to the safety of drivers, passengers, or others on the road must be recalled. Manufacturers and distributors can also issue their own voluntary recalls.
Examples of defects that can lead to recalls include:
- Accelerator or brake problems. Accelerator or brake pedals that stick, break, or otherwise fail can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash.
- Fire dangers. Faulty wiring, fuel system components susceptible to damage during crashes, and overly flammable materials can all cause serious problems.
- Part failures leading to loss of driver control. These might include tires that explode or separate under certain circumstances, brittle wheels, engine components that break or fail under certain conditions, and steering or transmission components that lock up.
- Safety feature failures. Defective airbags (such as airbags that fail to deploy or that deploy at an odd angle), defective seatbelts and restraining devices, and safety components or buckles that fail, causing or contributing to injury.
Not all recalls will be related to safety. For instance, a manufacturer may recall a vehicle because it consumes too much oil, rusts overly easily, comes with a lackluster air conditioning or radio, or contains components or parts that need to be replaced, maintained, inspected, and repaired more often than the consumer was led to expect.
Contact Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP today!
The Beginnings of an Automobile Recall
NHTSA investigations may prompt a recall, as may multiple complaints by owners of the same make and model of a vehicle. In some cases, as discussed above, the manufacturers of a certain piece of equipment or of a make or model may instigate a recall.
Litigation over motor vehicle safety defects can get complicated and can stretch on for years, particularly if a class of drivers has been harmed. If you believe that you or a family member sustained injury as the result of a defective component, part, or vehicle, do not wait to call us for legal advice.
In Northern California, for instance, the "statute of limitations" on personal injury and wrongful death cases is two years from the date of the accident. The longer you wait after the accident to launch an investigation, the harder it can be to identify the true cause of the accident and of any collateral damage.
To develop an effective and methodical approach, connect today with our San Jose defective auto lawyers at Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP who serve all of Northern California. Collectively, for more than 85 years, our firm has delivered exceptional results for clients in personal injury cases, and we serve accident victims in the Silicon Valley and throughout Northern California.
Get a confidential free case evaluation by calling (800) 900-0863.
A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
Millions Recovered for Our Clients-
Wrongful Death Skydiving Accident $40,030,000
Attorney Paul Van Der Walde recovered a total of $40,030,000 in compensation for a couple bereft of their 18-year-old son in a tandem skydiving accident.
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School Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident $8,825,000
School bus vs. pedestrian accident resulting in traumatic brain injury.
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Train Maintenance Vehicle vs. Auto $7,411,492
Caputo & Van Der Walde received a jury verdict in the amount of $7,411,492 for a surviving widow, who lost her husband when his pickup truck was involved in a collision with an on-track maintenance of way vehicle.
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3rd-Degree Burns During a Pedicure $7,291,986
Paul Caputo received a $7,291,985.58 decision for Plaintiff in a case where a client received severe 3rd-degree burns during a pedicure, resulting in the need for numerous skin grafting procedures.
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Paraplegia from Defective Seat $5,650,000
Product liability case involving a defective seat design that resulted in paraplegia.
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Pick-up Truck vs. Pedestrian Accident $4,250,000
Pedestrian crossing a four-lane street in the crosswalk, hit by a full-size pick-up truck. Injuries included a left knee dislocation with complete tears of all ligaments and requiring surgery, right scaphoid fracture requiring surgery, right shoulder AC joint separation with clavicle fracture and PTSD.
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Auto vs. Bicycle Accident $4,000,000
Bicycle rider attempted to maneuver to his left, around a recessed manhole in the bike lane, and was struck by a vehicle that was driving too closely to the bike lane. Significant injuries included traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, and permanent brain damage.
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Big Rig vs. Auto Accident $3,000,000
Big rig vs. auto accident resulting in wrongful death.
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Physical Abuse $3,000,000
Child protective services failed to adequately protect young child from physically abusive foster parents.
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Injury Onboard a SCTVA Bus $3,000,000
Injury onboard a SCTVA bus resulting in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Client Testimonials
Highly Rated & Reviewed-
“I am happy with the outcome and highly recommend Caputo and Van Der Walde to anyone seeking an injury lawyer.”
- Karen B -
“Our lawyer and his entire staff were extremely approachable and effective in getting a very good settlement from my own insurance company's under-insured motorist coverage. Our lawyer guided my husband and me through the process.”
- Chris G. -
“Paul has a great understanding of people's rights and drives to obtain all that is due to you. He listens and answers questions that anyone could understand without legalize. I contacted him through the recommendation of a friend.”
- Gary G.