When it comes to purchasing a used car, the old saying, “Let the buyer beware,” is very appropriate. We have all either heard of or lived through nightmare scenarios caused by a substandard used vehicle. Most of the time the problems relate to constant breakdowns and expensive repair bills. But the fact is, a lemon of a used car can be more than the source of frustration, it could also be extremely dangerous to drive.
As you may have heard, some of the airbags manufactured by Takata have proven to be defective. In fact, there have been 15 deaths related to explosive Takata airbags. Subsequently, recalls were issued for vehicles that were outfitted with the airbag, so owners of the cars could have the issued fixed,
But unfortunately, often used car sellers do not respond to recalls prior to selling their vehicles. Such was the case for a 50-year-old California woman who had a fatal accident when her used Honda Civic crashed into a pickup truck. The death was blamed on faulty Takata airbags, but the woman purchased the Honda from a man who had recently bought the car at an auction.
This tragic event highlights the fact that there are very lax regulations regarding used car sales. In fact, it is quite possible that a consumer could purchase a car that has passed through the hands of several owners. And there are no federal regulations that require used car dealers to act on recalls or even inform potential buyers of recalls pertaining to their vehicles.
Improperly maintained vehicles are not only dangerous for their drivers but all other road users as well. And if you are injured in an accident caused by a car that was not roadworthy, you have every reason to pursue all available avenues for compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney could investigate the accident to determine liability and also work on your behalf to help you get an appropriate settlement.
Source: New York Times, “Used Cars Slip Past Recall Safeguards, Putting Drivers in Danger,” Rachel Abrams, Hiroko Tabuchi, Oct. 26, 2016