FAQs

What counts as an automotive defect?

An automotive defect is a flaw in a vehicle or one of its parts that makes it unsafe. It can be a design problem that affects every vehicle of that model, a manufacturing problem that affects some, or a failure to warn owners about a known danger. Common examples include bad brakes, tire failures, defective airbags, sudden acceleration, and fuel systems that cause fires. If a defect hurt you or a loved one, call the Roach Law Firm at (903) 645-7333 for a free consultation.

How is an automotive defect case different from a regular car accident case?

A regular car accident case usually involves another driver’s negligence. An automotive defect case goes after the company that designed, built, or sold a dangerous vehicle or part. That means the defendant is often a large manufacturer with deep pockets and aggressive lawyers. Proving the case usually takes expert analysis of the vehicle itself. These cases are sometimes filed after an ordinary-looking crash, when an experienced lawyer takes a close look at the cause of the accident.

Who can be held responsible for an automotive defect?

Depending on the defect, responsibility can fall on the vehicle manufacturer, the maker of a specific part, or the dealer or retailer that sold it. More than one company can share the blame. Figuring out where the defect came from takes a real investigation, often requiring expert engineers. Locating every responsible party is important, because missing one can reduce financial compensation.

Does my car have to be under recall to file a claim?

No. Plenty of dangerous defects are never recalled or are recalled only years after people are hurt. What matters is whether the defect existed and whether it caused an injury or death. A recall can be helpful evidence, but victims don’t have to wait for one to file legal claims.

What should I do if I think a defect caused my crash?

Do not repair, sell, or scrap a vehicle involved in an accident like this, because it is often the most important piece of evidence. Make sure to keep all paperwork, recall notices, and repair records related to the vehicle, and photograph any damage. Don’t give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer with experience in this area, because doing so can hurt your financial recovery.

How much is an automotive defect case worth?

Every case is different, so there’s no single answer. The value depends on how serious your injuries are, your medical bills and lost wages, and any pain and suffering that you might endure. Automotive defect cases involving catastrophic injury or death can be worth a great deal, but insurance companies and manufacturers usually start low when making an offer. Cases like these can be complex, so don’t try to negotiate with insurers on your own—make sure to speak with an experienced automotive defect lawyer first. The Roach Law Firm’s attorneys have recovered more than $20 billion for their clients over the decades, including a $730 million verdict in a recent accident case.

Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire an automotive defect lawyer?

No. The Roach Law Firm handles automotive defect cases on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees and no out-of-pocket expenses while your case is pending. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Where does the Roach Law Firm handle automotive defect cases?

The Roach Law Firm is based in East Texas and focuses primarily on cases in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, but it handles product liability and mass tort claims for clients across the country. In Texas, the firm has deep roots in the communities of Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Paris, Marshall, Sulphur Springs, Henderson, Carthage, Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Clarksville, Gilmer, Pittsburg, Mount Vernon, Quitman, New Boston, Linden, Hemphill, and Daingerfield, as well as the surrounding areas. Call us at (903) 645-7333 to find out how we can help.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS
SAY ABOUT US

Case Results

$17 Billion

PART OF THE LARGEST LEGAL SETTLEMENT IN U.S. HISTORY

In 1995, Nelson J. Roach and his former firm, along with four other law firms, was selected by the State of Texas to prosecute the state’s claims against the tobacco industry, seeking to recoup state monies paid to treat smoking-related illnesses.

Read more

$730 Million

FOURTH-LARGEST JURY VERDICT IN THE NATION

In 2021, Nelson J. Roach won $730 million in a case arising from a Texas truck accident, the fourth-largest jury verdict in the U.S. that year. The case was filed by the family of an East Texas woman who was killed in a collision with a truck hauling a propeller for a Navy submarine.

Read more

$554 Million

DEFENDING AN INVENTOR FROM CORPORATE COPYCATS

For over a decade, Nelson J. Roach and his former firm represented DataTreasury Corporation in its efforts to hold the largest banks in the United States accountable for their infringement of the tiny company’s intellectual property. Roach and his associates won $554 million in jury awards and royalties.

Read more

$119 Million

FORCING A MINING COMPANY TO PAY UP

Nelson J. Roach represented roughly 7,000 residents of the town of Blackwell, Oklahoma, in a class action lawsuit accusing defendants Phelps Dodge Corporation and its parent company, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., of failing to properly address lead, arsenic, and cadmium contamination.

Read more

$90 Million

STANDING UP FOR INJURED STEELWORKERS

Nelson J. Roach represented thousands of steel workers at the Lone Star Steel Mill when they began to suffer from breathing problems and cancer.

Read more

$51.2 Million

FIGHTING ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES IN POULTRY INDUSTRY

Nelson J. Roach and Michael L. Silverman fought for small farms hurt by the corporations that dominate the U.S. chicken-processing industry.

Read more

$47 Million

JUSTICE FOR WORKERS EXPOSED TO INDUSTRIAL TOXINS

Several years after the Lone Star Steel Toxic Tort Litigation began, workers at the Red River Army Depot in the Northeast Texas area began to suffer from diseases caused by exposure to rubber products in the workplace.

Read more

$1.1 Million

WALMART SLIP-AND-FALL CASE

In 2021, Nelson J. Roach won $1.1 million in a slip-and-fall case against retail giant Walmart. It was one of the largest verdicts in a personal injury case in Texarkana history.

Read more

Awards and Recognitions

Awards and Recognitions

For a free consultation with a proven personal injury law firm,
please call (903) 645-7333 or send us a message below.