A faulty brake line, a defective airbag sensor or a cracked steering column can turn a routine drive into a serious medical event. When this happens and the part fails to perform as intended, understanding how Alabama laws address these cases can give you an idea of what to expect when you file a claim.
The parties who may face liability
Product liability claims involving faulty car parts can extend beyond the company that made the part. Alabama law gives injured consumers the right to bring claims against multiple parties in the supply chain, from the original maker to the seller.
The maker of the defective part often becomes the first focus in these cases. At the same time, the vehicle manufacturer that installed the part, the distributor that moved it through the market and the retailer that sold the vehicle may also share responsibility.
The three defect types that matter most
Product liability law recognizes three categories of defects. Each one of the following corresponds to a different stage in the product’s life cycle and affects how the court establishes liability:
- Design defects: These arise when a car part’s design is unreasonably dangerous, and the injured party can demonstrate that a safer, practical alternative design was available to the manufacturer.
- Manufacturing defects: These can occur during the production process. A part may have a sound design but leave the factory with flaws due to errors in materials or assembly.
- Marketing defects: These can involve failures in warnings or instructions. A car part that lacks proper safety labels or does not communicate known risks to consumers can fall into this category.
The type of defect in your claim shapes the evidence you will need to present and the legal strategy an attorney may recommend.
The Alabama laws that shape your case
Alabama does not apply strict liability in product defect cases the way some states do. Instead, the Extended Manufacturer’s Liability Doctrine (AEMLD) requires you to show that the product was both defective and unreasonably dangerous at the time it entered the stream of commerce.
You must also demonstrate that the defect was the direct and proximate cause of your injury. The burden of proving this causal link rests squarely on the injured party throughout the entire litigation process.
The state’s statute of limitations adds another important consideration. Under state law, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit, and courts may dismiss claims filed after this deadline regardless of their underlying strength.
Finally, the state applies a strict contributory negligence standard in general personal injury cases, but this is often not a valid defense under the AEMLD. However, if a manufacturer can prove you unforeseeably misused the product or knowingly assumed the risk of using a defective part, it could prevent you from recovering damages.