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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner
Practically every day in the news, we learn of another vehicle recall. During the first nine months of 2014, there were over 500 automaker recalls, which affected more than 50 million vehicles. How does the average consumer sift through all this information to determine which recalls are actually safety issues and which are minor enough to delay a repair?
After manufacturers notify NHTSA about a recall, they have 60 days to notify vehicle owners. However, owners may contact their dealership in the meantime for a replacement appointment, without waiting for the official notification. Consumer Reports recently published guidelines for determining whether a recall should be cause for worry. Although some recalls are for nuisance factors, if the recall involves a key operating component, such as acceleration, brake, steering, suspension, or fuel systems, you should contact the dealership right away. If you are not sure of the potential danger, call the dealership and ask.
However, vehicle owners do not have to wait for a recall if they believe their car has a safety defect. They can file a complaint directly with the automaker and the government by contacting safercar.gov or by calling 888-327-4236.
About the author:
Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him “Trial Lawyer of the Year”. Super Lawyers recently named him among the “Top Ten” lawyers in the Metro Area (out of more than 80,000 attorneys). He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a “Big Gun” and among the “top 100″ lawyers in the entire metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as “one of Washington’s best-most honest and effective lawyers” who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers (2014 edition) and has been repeatedly named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine (2014) – national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.
If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at [email protected] or call him at 202-822-1899.
