US FederalCan I sue a car manufacturer if a defect caused my accident?
Yes, you may sue a car manufacturer for injuries caused by a defect under federal and state product liability laws, especially if the defect violates safety standards set by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
What the Law Says
Federal law establishes the framework for vehicle safety and holds manufacturers accountable for defective designs or failures to comply with mandatory safety standards.
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is the primary federal law governing automotive safety in the United States. Its purpose is to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle accidents by setting and enforcing safety performance standards.
Under this law, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has authority to issue mandatory safety standards, investigate defects, and order recalls when a vehicle or equipment fails to comply with those standards or contains a safety-related defect.
While the Act itself does not create a private right of action (i.e., it doesn’t let individuals directly sue under §30101 alone), it provides the regulatory foundation for product liability claims. Courts routinely use violations of NHTSA standards as evidence of negligence or defect in civil lawsuits.
Statutory TextThe purpose of this chapter is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and injuries to persons resulting from traffic accidents.
— 49 U.S.C. § 30101 — Purpose and policy
What to Do
Document the accident, vehicle behavior, and any warning signs before the crash.
Check NHTSA’s recall database (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see if your vehicle model has an open safety recall.
Preserve the vehicle (or key components) — do not repair or discard it without consulting a lawyer.
Report the incident to NHTSA via safercar.gov — your report helps trigger investigations.
Consult an attorney experienced in auto product liability to evaluate claims under state law (e.g., strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.