22 Sep 2016

What to Do if Your Vehicle is Recalled

vehicle-recall-new-york-product-liability-attorneyWith the rise in vehicle recalls, there is a greater chance than ever before that your vehicle will be included. While some recent recalls are very serious, including the Takata airbag recall that now affects more than 7.8 million vehicles in the U.S., others may be due to far less dangerous defects. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with is the first step in deciding how to act on a vehicle recall. If your car is involved in a recall that has been determined to be the cause of life-threatening injuries or deaths, it is never a wrong choice to consult with an experienced New York product liability attorney.

Your Next Steps

The steps you need to take will vary for each recall, based on particular circumstances. If you have received a letter to inform you of your recall, the steps you need to take should be outlined in the letter. Usually the letter will inform you to contact your dealership for free repair. In some cases there may be other instructions, such as not using the front passenger seat until the repair can take place in the case of some Takata airbag recalls. In some cases, it may take several weeks for the parts to be made available.

If you discover the recall by going to safercar.gov, you can make a proactive call to your dealership and inform them that your vehicle is affected rather than wait for a letter. The dealership will handle all recalls the same way and should be able to give you instructions if you need to make changes in operating your vehicle.

If you or a loved one have been injured and you think a safety recall may be to blame, please contact Weiser & Associates today at (212) 213-3111 to speak with our New York product liability attorney.