Defective Auto Parts Lawyer in California
A tire that blows out, an airbag that does not deploy, or brakes that fail can turn an ordinary drive into a catastrophe through no fault of your own. We help California drivers and passengers hold the responsible parts makers accountable.
When the car — not the driver — is to blame
Sometimes a crash is not about how anyone drove, but about a component that failed: a tread separation, a seatbelt that unlatched, an airbag that ruptured, or brakes that gave out. These cases often point to the part manufacturer or automaker rather than the people in the cars. Sorting out whether a defect played a role is exactly what an investigation can reveal.
Why the vehicle should not be repaired yet
After a serious crash, the vehicle and the failed part are key evidence, so it is important not to repair, scrap, or release the vehicle before it can be examined. We work quickly to preserve it and bring in engineers to analyze what failed. Every defective-parts matter begins with a free, confidential review.
Personal Injury law in California
California injury law shapes your case in a few specific ways worth knowing early.
- Filing deadline: You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file — and only about six months to put a government entity on notice before you can sue.
- Fault: California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can still recover even if you were partly — or mostly — at fault, with your recovery reduced by your share of the blame.
- Damage caps: An ordinary California injury case has no cap on damages; medical-malpractice claims are the main exception.
- Uninsured drivers: California sets minimum auto-insurance limits and uninsured/underinsured-motorist rules that affect what coverage is available.
Frequently asked questions
The other driver was not really at fault — can I still have a case in California?
Possibly. If a defective part like a tire, airbag, or brake system caused or worsened the crash, the parts maker or automaker may be responsible even when no driver was clearly to blame. A free review helps identify whether a defect was involved.
California law — what people ask
How long do I have to file an injury claim in California?
Generally two years from the date you were hurt. If a government entity is involved — a city vehicle, a public road, a public hospital — you usually have to present a formal claim to that agency within roughly six months before you can sue at all, which catches people out far more often than the two-year date.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault in California?
Yes. California uses pure comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred — even if your share turns out to be the larger one. There is no cutoff percentage that ends a claim here.
Does California cap what I can recover?
Not in an ordinary injury case. Medical-malpractice claims are the main exception, where non-economic damages are limited by a cap that steps up over time. For most claims — car crashes, falls, defective products — there is no statutory ceiling.
What if more than one person was responsible?
California splits the analysis: defendants can be jointly responsible for your economic losses such as medical bills and lost income, while non-economic damages like pain and suffering are apportioned to each defendant by its own share of fault.
The driver who hit me had no insurance. What now?
Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is usually the answer, and it commonly applies to hit-and-run collisions as well. Check every policy in the household, not only the one covering the car you were in.
Will the jury hear that my health insurance paid my bills?
Generally not. California follows the collateral source rule, so a wrongdoer does not get credit for insurance you paid for. How your medical damages are measured is a separate and often contested question.
Think you may have a case?
The case review takes about two minutes. It's free and confidential, with no obligation.