What Is the Crashworthiness Doctrine?
The crashworthiness doctrine is a legal principle that holds vehicle manufacturers liable when a defective vehicle design causes or worsens injuries during a collision, even if the defect did not cause the initial accident. The core idea is straightforward: while manufacturers cannot prevent every accident, they have a legal duty to design and build vehicles that provide reasonable occupant protection during foreseeable crashes. When a vehicle fails to meet that standard and a person suffers enhanced injuries as a result, the manufacturer can be held responsible for the additional harm.
The Enhanced Injury Theory
Crashworthiness claims are based on the enhanced injury theory (also called the “second collision” theory). In a typical car accident, the first collision occurs when the vehicle strikes another object. The second collision occurs inside the vehicle when the occupant’s body impacts the vehicle’s interior, steering column, dashboard, or other components. A crashworthiness claim focuses on this second collision.
The plaintiff must prove that:
- The vehicle contained a design or manufacturing defect
- The defect was a proximate cause of enhanced injuries beyond what would have occurred in the same crash with a reasonably safe design
- A feasible alternative design existed that would have reduced or prevented the enhanced injuries
This means the plaintiff does not need to prove the defect caused the accident itself, only that it made the injuries worse than they otherwise would have been.
Michigan Product Liability Law and Crashworthiness
Crashworthiness claims in Michigan are governed by the state’s product liability statutes, found at MCL 600.2945 through MCL 600.2949. These statutes establish the framework for claims against manufacturers, including:
- MCL 600.2946: A manufacturer or seller is liable when a product is not reasonably safe for its intended or foreseeable use
- MCL 600.2946a: Addresses the liability of non-manufacturer sellers
- MCL 600.2947: Provides for comparative fault and allocation of liability among multiple defendants
- MCL 600.2949: Establishes a statute of repose, setting an outer time limit for product liability claims
Michigan courts have recognized crashworthiness as a valid theory of product liability, allowing injured occupants to pursue claims against automakers when vehicle defects contribute to enhanced injuries in auto accidents, rollover accidents, and other collisions.
Common Crashworthiness Defects
Crashworthiness claims typically involve the following categories of vehicle defects:
Roof Crush
When a vehicle’s roof collapses during a rollover accident, occupants can suffer catastrophic head, neck, and spinal injuries. Roof crush claims allege that the roof structure was not strong enough to maintain the vehicle’s survival space during a foreseeable rollover event.
Seatbelt Failure
Seatbelts that unlatch during impact, tear under force, or fail to properly restrain the occupant can lead to ejection or secondary collisions inside the vehicle. Defective seatbelt retractors, buckles, and webbing are common bases for crashworthiness claims.
Airbag Failure or Malfunction
Airbags that fail to deploy, deploy late, deploy with excessive force, or deploy unnecessarily can cause traumatic brain injuries, facial injuries, burns, or even death. Both non-deployment and aggressive deployment have been the basis for crashworthiness litigation.
Fuel System Defects
Fuel tanks, fuel lines, and filler necks that rupture during a collision can cause post-crash fires and explosions, leading to severe burns or death. Crashworthiness claims involving fuel system integrity focus on whether the manufacturer placed the fuel system in an unreasonably vulnerable location or used materials prone to failure during a crash.
Door and Window Failures
Doors that open during a collision or windows that shatter can lead to occupant ejection, which dramatically increases the risk of fatal injuries.
The Role of Expert Witnesses
Crashworthiness cases are technically complex and almost always require expert testimony. Common experts include:
- Accident reconstructionists who analyze how the crash occurred and what forces were involved
- Automotive engineers who evaluate the vehicle’s design, identify defects, and present feasible alternative designs
- Biomechanical engineers who explain how the defect caused or worsened specific injuries
- Medical experts who distinguish between injuries caused by the crash itself and enhanced injuries caused by the defect
Crashworthiness vs. Standard Negligence Claims
A standard auto accident negligence claim focuses on who caused the crash. A crashworthiness claim is fundamentally different: it targets the vehicle manufacturer rather than (or in addition to) the other driver, and it focuses on how the vehicle performed during the crash rather than what caused the crash. This distinction means an injured person can pursue both a negligence claim against the at-fault driver and a crashworthiness claim against the vehicle manufacturer in the same case.
Crashworthiness claims may arise from any type of vehicle collision, including car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck accidents, and rollover incidents.
If you have questions about a crashworthiness claim in Michigan, contact The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm for a free consultation at 1-866-HIRE-JOE.