Car recalls are not uncommon in the United States. However, that does not mean that consumers should take them less seriously. Vehicles are recalled for various reasons, sometimes due to relatively minor defects, but often due to problems that could cause serious accidents. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney wants to discuss a recent recall of Ford F-150s. It looks like many of these popular trucks could have a software glitch that can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
What is going on with this recall?
When most people think of vehicle recalls, they think about an actual mechanical part malfunction. However, Ford recently announced a recall of more than 217,000 F-150s due to a problem with the headlight switch software.
How could headlight software cause a problem?
According to the recall notice, when the low beams are turned on in some affected vehicles are turned on manually, the daytime running lights stay illuminated. This means that both sets of lights are running at the same time, which means that the F-150 headlights are too bright. This becomes a problem for other drivers on the roadway and increases the risk of a crash occurring.
As technology becomes more and more integrated into our vehicles, software glitches pose serious problems. When every system is connected to a computer, the potential for serious accidents rises. Companies and manufacturers should ensure that all problems are discovered before the vehicle hits the market.
Which models are affected?
The vehicles that are affected include F-150 models that are manufactured between January 5, 2017, to October 10, 2019, that have LED lights equipped. Ford says it will send out notifications to users of affected vehicles. Once the owners receive their notice, they should take the vehicle to the dealer to have the software updated.
You can find out if your vehicle is under recall, for this or any other issue, by going to the website managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There, you can enter your vehicle’s VIN number to see if there are any recalls that you need to take care of. You should never drive your vehicle if there is a serious problem that could cause harm to you or another person on the roadway.
We will help you through this
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to a defective vehicle or vehicle part, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally recognized firm has vast experience handling these types of cases. We will investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you are entitled to, which can include:
- Cost of your current and future medical bills
- Recovery of income lost if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against a car or part manufacturer
When you need a vehicle injury attorney in Florida or anywhere in the US, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
