Understanding Auto Recalls

Recently, the Wall Street Journal showed that the number of automotive recalls in 2015 was a record-breaking 51.26 million. Although many recalls are not necessarily an emergency, it is important to take your car to the dealership in a timely manner when you become aware of a recall in order to keep your car in good working order and prevent an accident. 

If you do become the victim of a vehicle malfunction that could have been prevented by a recall, be sure to contact an auto accident lawyer in Salt Lake City or elsewhere to assist you in seeking compensation and knowing your rights as a consumer. 

But how do you know if your automobile is part of a recall? From Salt Lake City to the East Coast, when a manufacturer initiates a recall of a product, the company will send out a letter or email to the owner with further instructions, regardless of whether it is a minor issue or a critical problem. Additionally, you can find recall information on most manufacturers’ websites if you are not sure about your car. 

In order to avoid a potentially life-altering accident and the need for an auto accident lawyer, you should contact your dealership in Salt Lake City or elsewhere and schedule a time to get the recalled part replaced or repaired. 

There can sometimes be a wait list for parts, so it is best to call the dealership sooner rather than later. If the recall involves an important operating component of the car, you may want to contact the dealership immediately to see if they recommend avoiding driving the vehicle. 

An unfortunate example of why you should not ignore automotive recalls involves GMC. In what has become one of the most serious auto recalls in recent history, air bags made by the Japanese supplier Takata have been recalled after being tied to nearly 120 deaths and many more injuries. These airbags are prone to explode on collision, and the recall affects over 7 million vehicles. Some of the victims in this case have hired a lawyer to seek compensation. 

There are thousands of components in each vehicle, and each of them have the potential to malfunction. Car makers and part manufacturers do their best to ensure the safety of each vehicle, but sometimes things still go wrong. Contacting an auto accident lawyer in Salt Lake City or elsewhere can help you to understand your rights and improve your chances of getting enough compensation to cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages and even your vehicle. 

Ryan Muir is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.