{"id":29750,"date":"2026-08-22T12:22:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T12:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/crashworthiness-claims\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T03:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T03:41:31","slug":"crashworthiness-claims","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/crashworthiness-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Crashworthiness Cases: Vehicle Defects & Injury Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Crashworthiness & Vehicle Defects<\/p>

When a Vehicle Defect Makes Injuries Worse<\/h1>

You may have a claim against the manufacturer even if you caused the crash. A defective design or failure to protect can turn a minor accident into a catastrophic injury.<\/p>

Get a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div>
Get a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published October 03, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Crashworthiness Claims: When Vehicle Defects Cause Catastrophic Injuries<\/h2>\n

A crashworthiness claim<\/strong> holds a vehicle manufacturer accountable when a defect makes your injuries worse during a crash. Common defects include airbags that fail to deploy, roofs that crush inward, seatbelts that don’t lock, or fuel tanks that rupture.<\/p>\n

Unlike a typical accident claim\u2014which focuses on who caused the crash\u2014a crashworthiness case<\/strong> targets the vehicle itself: its design, safety systems, and how well it protects you.<\/p>\n

Here’s what many injured people don’t know: you may have a crashworthiness claim even if you caused the collision, and under Florida law the trier of fact must consider the fault of all persons who contributed to the accident when apportioning fault.<\/strong> The manufacturer’s duty to protect you is separate from the question of who caused the accident, but Florida law requires the trier of fact to consider the fault of all persons who contributed to the accident when apportioning fault.<\/p>\n

Some crashes that should have been survivable become life-altering. A rollover that crushes the roof, leaving someone with a spinal cord injury<\/a> and permanent paralysis<\/a>. An airbag system that fails to deploy in a moderate-speed crash, resulting in traumatic brain injury. A fuel-system rupture that ignites after the crash, causing severe burns<\/a>. These aren’t random misfortunes\u2014they’re often the result of a manufacturer’s failure to design and build a vehicle that protects occupants.<\/p>\n

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If you believe a vehicle defect made your injuries worse, you may have a valid claim regardless of who caused the accident. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What Does Crashworthiness Mean?<\/h2>\n

Crashworthiness is a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants during and after a collision. It includes the vehicle’s design, safety features, and structural strength. This is different from crash causation<\/em>\u2014the question of who caused the accident itself.<\/p>\n

Think of it as two separate legal events:<\/p>\n

First, the crash happens.<\/strong> You may have run a red light. Another driver may have hit you. Weather may have caused you to lose control. You may be 100% responsible for that collision.<\/p>\n

Second, the vehicle either protects you or fails you.<\/strong> If the airbag deploys, the seatbelt locks, the roof stays intact, and the fuel system doesn’t rupture, the vehicle has done its job. If any of those systems fail, the manufacturer may be liable for the injuries that result.<\/p>\n

This distinction is enormous. Many injured people believe that if they caused the crash, they have no legal claim. Under Florida law, in a products liability action alleging that a defect enhanced your injuries, the trier of fact must consider the fault of all persons who contributed to the accident when apportioning fault (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 768.81<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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How Vehicle Defects Turn Survivable Crashes Into Catastrophic Injuries<\/h2>\n

The concept of the “second collision” captures this reality. The first collision is the impact itself. The second collision is what happens inside the vehicle: your body strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or side panel.<\/p>\n

A well-designed vehicle absorbs crash energy and protects occupants. A defective vehicle fails to protect you, and your injuries become catastrophic.<\/p>\n

Common vehicle defects in crashworthiness cases:<\/strong><\/p>\n