Thousands of Georgia motorists may be at risk of car accidents caused when they are driving defective or dangerous vehicles that have been included in recalls.
When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announces a recall of a vehicle for potentially dangerous design or manufacturing defects, automakers and other related parties immediately work to contact customers and let them know about the defect that has led to the recall. From then on, motorists are given information about bringing these cars in for repairs or replacement of defective parts, if necessary.
However, thousands of these defective, dangerous cars may continue to be sold in the used car market. This is a problem because used car sellers are not required by the law to inform customers about any potentially dangerous defects in the design and manufacture of the cars. While automakers have a legal responsibility to inform their customers about a recall, used car dealers do not have any such obligation to inform buyers about any car accident risks.
A new investigation by 11alive.com finds that many Georgia motorists buy cars at used car dealerships, while remaining unaware of the dangerous defects in some of these vehicles. One recall that has affected tens of millions of cars around the country and in Georgia is the Takata defective airbag recall. The airbags in millions of vehicles, including Honda and Ford cars, have a defect that could possibly cause them to become dangerous to motorists. The risk of injury to motorists and passengers travelling in vehicles equipped with these dangerous airbags has resulted in massive recalls of these cars. The 11alive.com investigation, however, found that vehicles with these dangerous Takata airbags continue to be sold at used car dealerships across the state.
It’s not just dangerous airbags that buyers of used cars must be aware of. Cars that have been recalled for a variety of other defects, including braking problems and other dangerous issues that could place motorists at a high risk of being involved in an auto accident, continue to be sold in the used car market. The 11alive.com investigation found that many dealerships have several of these models on their lots, with no intention of informing customers about the potential auto accident risks of driving these cars.
If you are in the market for a used car, make sure that you do your research carefully before you make a purchase, and make sure that the car that you are considering buying has not been included in a previous recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration makes information about recalls very easily available on its website. Simply enter the model number of the automobile you are intending to purchase, and you will get the information you require. Do not depend solely on the used car dealership for safety information about the car you are considering buying.
The Atlanta car crash attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons injured in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and determine if you have legal options to a claim for damages. You may be eligible for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other types of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case.