When you discover your car, truck, or SUV has a flat tire, you are sure to wonder where or if your vehicle came with a scissor jack. These are the jacks that most often come with a new car. They are operated with a long screw running horizontally through the linkage that can be expanded to lift a vehicle or other heavy object. The more you rotate the handle, the taller the jack extends to allow you to remove a flat tire and install a functional one.
These devices used to be included with all new vehicles and are still found in many. Auto manufacturers include this model over other jacks because they are less sophisticated and can be stored in minimal space. Also, they are likely to be the most cost-effective option to get the job done when you need to change a tire. However, they are also not the most reliable, easy to use, or safe selection, which is why many people choose to replace them with another model of jack or use them only with a jack stand for added safety.
If you or a loved one have recently suffered an injury due to a scissor jack failure or a defective scissor jack injury incident, the team at Normandie Law Firm is here to answer your time-sensitive questions and schedule a free consultation with a skilled and seasoned scissor jack defect lawyer. Our dedicated experts can be reached 24/7 to provide the information you need to make a well-informed decision when you need it the most.
In addition, we are proud to offer all injury victims a free consultation to discuss the details of their incidents with our scissor jack defect lawyers. After this meeting, you will have a clear understanding of your rights and how to move forward if you decide a scissor jack defect injury lawsuit is the best solution for your challenges and financial hardships. Please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to schedule your appointment.
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What Can Cause A Scissor Jack To Fail?
Sadly, scissor jacks are the safest when used on a perfectly flat surface that is also very smooth. So, you will need to have a flat tire in the ideal location to use this tool in the most safe manner possible. But that is rarely, if ever, going to be the case. So, consumers need to understand the risk they are taking when using any scissor jack. Some of the most typical hazards of using a scissor jack that are never fully explained by the manufacturer or any tutorial on the use of a scissor jack include:
- The base of most scissor jacks is small but is the only surface in contact with the ground, so it is vital to place the unit on level and smooth ground so it does not tip over and cause the vehicle to fall to the ground
- The function and extension of the jack are fully reliant on the screw that you are turning and the very minimal amount of thread on that screw – when those threads wear, the jack will fail, and the car you are lifting will fall
- The straight linkage pieces become bent or damaged
- The jack gets rusty and degrades its durability and strength
- The rivets, bolts or other connective devices holding the scissor jack together become damaged, degraded, or broken
Warning Signs Your Scissor Jack Could Soon Fail
As previously mentioned, a scissor jack is a relatively simple machine that uses a screw to move pieces of metal that will lift your car. However, there are many parts on this unit that need to function flawlessly to ensure your safety. When these parts begin to degrade or become damaged, you must heed the warning signs of trouble and stop using the scissor jack to ensure your safety. Some of the indications that a scissor jack could soon fail include:
- Metal shavings on the ground need the jack as the screw threads are being destroyed
- The jack handle is hard to rotate, and the unit does not expand easily
- The metal on the jack is rusted, bent, or shows other signs of stress
- The base of the unit is damaged
- The cradle that is used to life the vehicle is bent or damaged
Any of these issues could be a sign that the function of the scissor jack is limited or degraded. Stop using the unit, even if it is brand new. In many cases, when a new scissor jack shows early signs of wear or issues, the jack is defective, and you could suffer a severe injury if you continue to use it.
When Can I Sue The Scissor Jack Manufacturer or Distributor?
The maker of the scissor jack has a legal obligation to provide a product that is free of defects and will perform safely within the setting and to the extent of the functional weight rating. If you suffered an injury because a scissor jack was defective, you could have grounds for a scissor lift accident injury lawsuit. The manufacturer of these items must test them and ensure they are safe and functional. If that did not happen, the manufacturer could be responsible for the injuries you suffered using their product.
In addition, if the product is known to be defective and stores or other retail establishments continue to sell it, they could be held responsible for your injuries. The scissor jack defect lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to evaluate the details of your claim and advise you if you have reason to seek compensation from the jack manufacturer or someone in the supply chain because the unit you purchased was defective.
How Much Is My Scissor Jack Defect Lawsuit Worth?
It is critical to understand that your defective scissor jack injury lawsuit does not have a pre-determined value based on the injuries you suffered or other circumstances related to the incident. Instead, the claim’s value will be based on all the allowable expenses you incurred due to the injuries you sustained when the scissor jack failed.
The team at Normandie Law Firm will assist you in compiling all the allowable expenses you face, which could include:
- All current and future medical costs for your treatment and extended care, if necessary
- The value of any personal property that was damaged in the incident
- Your lost wages if the injuries you suffered prevented you from working
- The cost of your legal fees from Normandie Law Firm to prepare and litigate your scissor jack defect lawsuit
If your injuries were significant and required a lengthy recovery time, it is common to include a dollar amount for your pain and suffering. Because this is not a documented amount, your legal team will assist you in selecting an appropriate amount to ensure you receive the most robust compensation possible for your injuries and losses. In addition, in cases involving gross negligence on the part of the manufacturer, it is possible to seek punitive damages because of their extensive actions to avoid taking responsibility for the issues related to their product.
Defective Scissor Jack Injuries Can Be Life-Altering
Many victims of a defective scissor jack accident suffer injuries that change the rest of their lives. They go from an able-bodied person who helps others to someone unable to complete even the most basic care of themselves. These devastating injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Damage to the neck, back, or spinal cord
- Shattered bones and compound fractures
- Crushing injuries to the chest and torso that damage the lungs, heart, or other vital organs
- Damage to the airway in the neck
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries, including severe nerve damage
Along with these physical injuries often come emotional trauma and challenges. Victims can be pinned under a vehicle, suffering and in fear for their lives for a long time waiting for help to arrive. Many suffer flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, stress, and depression after their injury incident.
The Statute Of Limitations For A Lawsuit
Most personal injury victims are allowed two years from the date of the incident to file their claim. If the case is not filed by that time, they lose the right to seek compensation for the injuries caused by the defective scissor jack. However, there are a few expectations that could apply. The Normandie Law Firm staff will explain any items that could provide more time to file your claim and why you might want to consider them to extend your filing.
Getting The Best Scissor Jack Defect Lawyer
The staff at Normandie Law Firm has decades of combined experience handling scissor jack defect cases for injury victims like yourself. In addition, our team is dedicated to seeking justice for all personal injury victims. We understand the hardships these injuries cause and how overwhelming they can appear to the victim and their loved ones.
We proudly offer our services to handle your scissor jack defect lawsuit with no upfront fees or legal expenses required. We pay all the fees required by the court and only get paid for our work and reimbursed for expenses after we have secured the funds you need to pay these bills. And you owe us nothing if we fail to win your scissor jack defect lawsuit.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about your rights and how our team of experts will work tirelessly to protect them and your right to a stable financial future.
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