A new federal report shows that auto product design defects may have played a part in a fatal San Diego car accident in August, which killed California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and three members of his family. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, federal investigators found that the loaner Lexus, which Saylor was driving, had an unsecured and incorrect floor mat that jammed the accelerator. The design of the gas pedal may have also contributed to the fatal car accident, the report said.
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Several retail stores including IKEA, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Hanover Direct are issuing a defective product recall for nearly 1 million roller blinds and Roman shades because of a serious strangulation hazard to young children. According to a Fox News report, a child’s neck can get tangled in the inner cord of the Roman shades or the exposed loop of the roller blinds. The recall comes after several incidences of near strangulation of children between the ages of 1 and 3. IKEA recalled blinds in August as well as in November 2008 after the death of a child who was strangled in the cords.
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The major national retailer, Target, is issuing a defective product recall for about 600,000 Halloween flashlights because they can apparently overheat and melt causing burn injuries. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, Target has so far received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burn injuries to the hand. This product recall involves two varieties of Halloween-themed flashlights — the mini flashlights and the kind of flashlights sold with stencils.
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A federal agency has opened a new vehicle defect investigation into corrosion issues on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has apparently opened a preliminary probe into spare tires and brake lines on 2000 and 2001 model year Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. According to the Detroit News, the agency has so far received 20 reports about Tundra pickups where the spare tires separated and severe frame corrosion has led to brake failure. There have been 15 reports alleging that the “upper body mounted spare tire separated from the rear crossmember and five reports alleging broken brake lines at the proportioning valve that is located on the driver’s side of the rear crossmember at upper shock mount.”
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As a California personal injury lawyer I know how devastating an accident can be for victims. A car accident can have a dramatic impact on your health and earning potential.

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Robert Leever, 52, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after he lost control of his car and crashed. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal car accident occurred the night of October 25, 2009 at Pacific Street and Perris Hills Park Road. Leever’s car apparently crashed through a guardrail and hit a fence leaving the vehicle teetering over the edge of a San Bernardino flood control channel. Fire crews had to secure the vehicle and use power tools to remove the roof and doors to get the victims out. Two passengers were also injured in the car crash.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Robert Leever for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I also wish the two injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep Leever’s family and these injured victims in your prayers.
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Matthew Jacob Wismann, 20, was killed in a Ventura car accident after his car crossed traffic lanes and crashed head-on into a van in Piru, California. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Wismann was driving west on Highway 126 near Center Street the evening of October 20, 2009 when he drifted into opposing lanes of the undivided freeway and struck a van driven by 53-year-old Adrian Powell of Valencia. California Highway Patrol officials said Wismann was taken to an area hospital where he died three hours after the crash. Powell was also treated for major injuries including a broken pelvis. Both men were wearing their seat belts.
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Blair LLC. has expanded a defective product recall involving chenille robes and other clothing items after reports of nine deaths after the robes caught fire. According to an Associated Press news report, Blair had received five reports of deaths linked to the robes that were manufactured in Pakistan. Now, the Pennsylvania-based company has received four additional reports of fatalities linked to these defective robes, which apparently failed to meet federal flammability standards. Now, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are expanding the recall to include more chenille robes and other chenille products including jackets, lounge jackets and tops. Most of the deaths however involved the full length chenille robes.
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A 3-year-old girl was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was ejected from the vehicle she was riding the afternoon of October 17, 2009, according to a news report in The Signal. The fatal car accident occurred when the child’s grandfather, Martin Borunda, 46, who driving his Chevy Astro van north on the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita when one of the left tire’s tread separated, California Highway Patrol officials said.
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It is in the best interest of most accident victims to consult with a California car accident attorney. After an accident, most victims are under the impression that their insurance company will fight for you. This is where many victims have been misled. Insurance companies are for-profit organizations. To maximize their profits they want to pay out as little money as possible. Insurance companies have well trained adjusters who are motivated to withhold payment.

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