If you’ve noticed more car recalls on the news lately, you’re not imagining it. Vehicle recalls are way up, and the defects behind them can seriously increase your risk of getting into an accident. Here’s what Kentucky drivers need to know about recalled vehicles and your rights if you’ve been injured.
The Recall Problem in Kentucky
Here’s a scary fact: of the 4 million registered vehicles on Kentucky roadways, one in four (25%) has recall repairs that need to be addressed, according to Kentucky’s Department of Vehicle Regulation. That ranks Kentucky as the eighth-highest open recall rate in the nation—even though all these repairs are free.
Nationally, vehicle recalls have skyrocketed. Between 2002 and 2016, individual recalls more than doubled (from 506 to 1,031), and the number of affected vehicles more than tripled (from 25 million to 76 million), according to a 2023 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Just in the first two months of 2024, we saw 750,000 Honda and Acura vehicles recalled for airbag defects and 2.2 million Teslas recalled over warning lights that didn’t meet federal safety standards.
Why the surge? Experts say it’s because cars are getting more complex, as ABC News reported. The more components packed into modern vehicles, the higher the chance something’s going to malfunction or be defectively designed. More technology means more things that can go wrong.
Unfortunately, there’s no warning light on your dashboard alerting you to recalls. Many Kentucky drivers don’t realize their vehicle needs attention until it’s too late.
Common Types of Vehicle Recalls
Recalls can happen for all kinds of defective parts, but some issues pop up more than others:
- Airbag defects
- Accelerator problems
- Faulty brakes
- Defective steering systems
- Fuel leaks
- Tire defects
- Electrical and wiring issues
- Fire hazards
- Malfunctioning sensors
- Backup camera failures
- Warning light problems
Any one of these defects could cause or contribute to a serious crash.
When a Recalled Part Causes Your Accident
The defects that trigger recalls can be seriously dangerous. Car owners can check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicle has any recalls, and they should receive notice by mail. When a driver gets a recall notice, they should schedule a free repair and follow any safety recommendations—which might include not driving the vehicle until it’s fixed.
But here’s the problem: defective vehicles can cause harm before they get fixed or even before the recall is issued. When that happens, you may be entitled to compensation from the vehicle manufacturer or the company that made the defective part.
If another driver hit you, you might already be pursuing a claim against them. Finding out their vehicle was recalled makes your case more complicated—but also potentially more valuable. That’s why working with a knowledgeable Kentucky personal injury attorney matters. You need someone who can properly include all responsible parties and avoid mistakes that could wreck your claim.
Maybe you were driving the car that got recalled. You might have been blamed for the accident when it wasn’t your fault. Or you thought you had no grounds to seek compensation. A recall notice showing a safety hazard that matches what caused your crash could mean you now have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable.
Time Is Running Out
Even though a vehicle recall can affect whether you can pursue a claim and who you can go after, statutes of limitations still apply. Miss these legal deadlines and you might lose your right to compensation entirely.
You need legal guidance fast to make sure your rights are protected. If a recalled part causes your accident, let Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers and their fifty years of experience fight for you. Call us 24/7 at 888-782-9090 or contact us online for a free consult. We only get paid if we get you a top settlement.
