Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
According to Carfax, an online service providing information on vehicle history, about 47 million vehicles on American roadways have one or more outstanding safety recalls. Many of the outstanding recalls are for vehicles that have been bought, sold, and traded multiple times. In these cases, it may be difficult to obtain recall information about a specific car or truck. Although one might think that dealerships are morally obligated to clear recalls before selling a used car, that is unfortunately not the case. At least not yet. Contact a Boston Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Today.
With the advancement of technology becoming more rapid every year, the production cycles for vehicle models are getting shorter. New models used to hit the market every four or five years. Now it’s every two to three. Shorter production cycles mean less time for safety testing. The result is an onslaught of issues, with safety and with customer satisfaction. Last year saw a recall increase of about one million from the previous year.
How Do I Protect Myself?
For starters, if your vehicle is recalled, make sure you have the work done as soon as possible. The issue may seem insignificant, but even minor defects can turn into major problems if left unresolved. Don’t let the perceived inconvenience of taking your vehicle in for repairs put you and your family in harm’s way.
Check Your Vehicle’s History. If you are purchasing a car or truck from a dealership, request that a recall report is included as part of the purchase. If they are unwilling or unable, you should be able to find recall history by visiting nhtsa.gov. Once on the site, go to ‘vehicle safety’ on the pull-down menu, then click on ‘recalls and defects.’ You can also enter the vehicle’s WIN (vehicle identification number). If you do find outstanding recall information, demand that the work is completed before you will complete the purchase.
In most cases, recall information is easy to find. However, tracking down recall information on very old cars and trucks may be difficult. Typically, once you locate open recalls, you can get the work completed with relative speed and ease. But you may find it a bit more challenging if you have an off-brand vehicle. Either way, it’s important to get repair work done when you discover an open recall. “Many people are still unnecessarily risking their lives by not staying informed or taking action when their vehicle is under a recall,” says Larry Gamache, a Carfax spokesman. “It’s one of the many reasons family-oriented vehicles, including one in four minivans, are the most highly impacted.”
Altman & Altman, LLP – Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
Vehicle recalls should be taken seriously. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we have extensive experience with defective auto parts and motor vehicle accident cases. Too often, serious injuries and fatalities occur due to faulty or defective vehicle parts. In many instances, these defects could have been resolved with minor repair work. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle’s history, or if you have been injured due to a faulty or defective vehicle part, the team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for over 50 years. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.
