Blog de Derecho de lesiones personales

As the holidays approach, Chicago drivers should feel festive, not frightened. However, recent recalls show how quickly a defect can turn a routine drive into an emergency. Honda recently announced a recall of nearly 256,603 vehicles due to a software issue in the fuel injection system. 

According to the recall, the software defect can cause a sudden loss of power while driving. This malfunction raises the risk of a highway stall or crash. Moreover, Chrysler, through Stellantis, also issued a recall for more than 320,000 Jeep plug-in hybrid SUVs because high-voltage batteries can fail, causing fires while the vehicles are parked or on the road. 

To protect yourself before a serious crash happens, treat recall notices and news reports as safety alerts, not background noise. 

How Vehicle Recalls Turn Winter Highway Trips Into Serious Crashes

Crowded expressways, freezing conditions, and long distances already make holiday travel around Chicago risky, especially along I-90, I-94, I-294, and the Skyway. Combining Chicago traffic with a defective vehicle can turn a fender bender into a violent high-speed crash. These crashes can quickly result in a disastrous blaze. 

Typically, safety recalls occur when a defect increases the risk of losing control or makes the outcome of a crash more severe. Recent Honda software problems that cause engines to lose power, along with Jeep plug-in hybrids recalled for fire risks linked to damaged battery cells, illustrate how serious those flaws can be during real-world driving. 

During long holiday drives, your engine works harder while the electrical system stays under strain for hours, giving hidden defects more chances to surface than on a short neighborhood errand.

Many carmakers announce recalls only after receiving complaints that follow a similar pattern. These complaints generally follow crash investigations or warranty data. As such, many accident victims and families may experience near-accident situations or collisions for months before they actually hear any official notice. 

During the peak holiday season, many vehicles on the road may already fall within major campaigns like the recent Honda and Jeep recalls, yet their owners might not have checked VINs or booked repairs. Those unrepaired vehicles can put you at risk even when your own car shows no open recalls. 

Understanding how high-profile recalls, winter storms, and holiday traffic interact helps you see that a quick VIN search belongs on the same checklist as packing warm clothes, planning your route, and fueling up for the drive.

Practical Steps To Check For Recalls Before Winter Travel

Taking ten quiet minutes to look up and recall information can prevent hours stuck on the shoulder or a lifetime dealing with injuries. Treat that short task as part of your standard preparation whenever a long trip is scheduled.

Start by finding the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN. That long string of characters usually appears on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield, on the inside of the driver’s door frame, and on registration or insurance documents. After you locate the number, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall lookup page or the manufacturer’s own recall site, enter the VIN, and review any listed campaigns.

If that search shows an open safety recall, call the dealership’s service department right away and request the earliest available appointment. Federal rules generally require free recall repairs, although parts shortages sometimes cause delays. Even when that happens, you still protect your family by getting on the schedule, asking about temporary transportation options, and finding out whether a long highway trip should wait until the repair is completed.

Appropriate documentation is crucial to these types of claims. You should save screenshots of the recall notice, retain dealer repair orders, and note any warning signs, such as strange noises, flickering lights, or sudden power loss. Those simple records support your safety decisions and can help your attorney show how a defect contributed to a crash.

Steps To Take After A Crash That Might Involve A Defective Vehicle

Even with careful planning, a holiday drive can still end in a serious crash. Although it might not be immediately evident, there are signs that a defective vehicle may have contributed to the crash. For instance, uncharacteristically harsh collisions or unusual damage patterns can point to something more than driver negligence. 

Immediate medical care comes first. You should accept transport to an emergency department or schedule an urgent evaluation as soon as symptoms such as pain, dizziness, confusion, chest tightness, or shortness of breath appear. Although adrenaline might cloud your memory, it is important to clearly describe the collision, the speed involved, and any impact to help doctors connect trauma injuries rather than writing complaints off as stress.

Once everyone receives initial care, attention can turn to the vehicle and the scene. Photos or videos should capture the entire car, including close views of wheels, airbags, the steering area, and the engine compartment. Unusual failures, such as a wheel folding under the car, airbags failing to deploy, or burn damage, deserve special focus. Images of skid marks, traffic signs, weather, and road conditions also give valuable context. A friend or family member can assist with this documentation if injuries limit your movement.

The next priority involves preserving the vehicle itself. Insurance companies often move quickly during the holidays and may push to total and dispose of a car shortly after a crash. When a defect may exist, that rush can destroy critical evidence hidden in damaged parts. Tell the adjuster in clear terms that you want the vehicle stored intact until your lawyer approves inspections or repairs.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Defect-Related Holiday Car Crashes

After a holiday crash, painful injuries, constant medical visits, and pushy insurance calls can leave you overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you by bringing order to the chaos and building a clear plan. 

Holiday trips should end with everyone home and resting, not with nights in a hospital and bills piling up. If a recalled or defective vehicle caused a crash in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, contacto Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation. The team can explain your rights, outline your best options, and help you focus on recovery while they handle the legal work.