Aftermarket Vehicles

Any enhancements to a vehicle after it leaves the automotive manufacturer are considered "aftermarket."  Many vehicles which are purchased by consumers or businesses as end-users are aftermarket vehicles which have been substantially modified from their original manufactured condition.  Examples of aftermarket vehicles include:

• Ambulances
• Limousines
• Buses
• Recreational Vehicles (RV's)
• Camper Trailers
• Trailers and Haulers (including car haulers, horse trailers, and flatbed trailers)
• Handicap Accessible Vehicles

Aftermarket manufacturers and modifiers are not held to the same standards as original equipment auto manufacturers.  Even though changes to the structure of vehicles can drastically change their handling, suspension, propensity to rollover, and other aspects of their performance, many aftermarket producers never even test their products for safety.  

For instance, if you own an SUV, truck or van, the factory may have installed tires designed to minimize the potential for a rollover.  If you replace these tires improperly, the vehicle may be at greater risk of gripping the road too tightly in a sharp turn, and rolling over.  If aftermarket modifications are improperly performed by a professional (body shop, tire retailer, etc.), these companies should be held responsible for any negligent role they play in making the vehicle less stable or less safe.

When an aftermarket vehicle is involved in a collision or other injury-causing accident, it is often a complex factual and legal issue to determine the nature of the defect which caused the accident and identify the party whose conduct is culpable.  If you have been injured in an accident involving an aftermarket vehicle, it is critical that you consult an attorney who is familiar with the variety of issues at play in these types of cases.

Langdon & Emison has litigated cases involving police cruisers, ambulances, handicap accessible vehicles, RV's, and race car haulers, among others.  For assistance with your personal injury or wrongful death claim involving an aftermarket vehicle, contact the skilled and experienced lawyers at Langdon & Emison today.