There are only so many things that a driver can do in order to avoid getting into an accident in Minnesota. We can wear our seat belts, stay focused on the road and obey traffic laws, but sometimes an accident is caused by something out of our control. In some cases, the fault lies with another driver who was negligent. But in other cases, an accident happens because of something that has gone wrong with our vehicle.
These issues can be the result of a manufacturing defect. Too often, shortcuts are taken or mistakes are made during the making of a vehicle in the interest of saving time and money, which means that huge numbers of unsafe cars and trucks could be put on the road. If these defects contribute to an accident, victims may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable for any damages.
Recently, Ford announced that thousands of vehicles could have been affected by a manufacturing defect in the windshield. According to the recall notice that was released, 4,532 Ford vans with a model year of 2011 have windshields that could bubble up, which would restrict a driver’s visibility.
The defect is linked to air that was trapped inside the glass during the manufacturing process. When these vehicles are left out in the hot sun for extended periods of time, that air can bubble up and obstruct a driver’s view. If a motorist cannot see out of a windshield, there is a very real risk that he or she could get into an accident.
Automotive defects like this one may seem minor, like a tiny pocket of air. But any vulnerability or imperfection in a motor vehicle can seriously affect a driver’s ability to operate it safely. If an accident is caused by one of these defects, Minneapolis motorists may want to speak with an attorney in order to determine if a products liability lawsuit may be appropriate.
Source: glassBYTEs, “NHTSA and Ford Recall Vehicles for Windshield Bubbling,” Casey Neeley, Jan. 22, 2014