Federal Agency Rebukes Toyota over "No Defect" Claim
As an auto products liability lawyer who has represented numerous clients injured by vehicle defects, it hardly surprised me to read a Los Angeles Times news report about Toyota's "no defect" claim over 3.8 million recalled vehicles. The Toyota and Lexus sedans were the subject of the auto maker's largest vehicle recall in history and came after a San Diego car accident when a loaner Lexus driven by a California Highway Patrol Officer accelerated out of control and crashed, killing him and three of his family members.
Federal Agency Criticizes Toyota over Misleading Statements
Officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sharply criticized Toyota this week for issuing statements that they say are "inaccurate and misleading." Apparently Toyota officials had asserted that there were no defects in the Toyota and Lexus sedans when the NHTSA has said that these vehicles do have an "underlying defect" that involves the design of the accelerator pedal and driver's foot well. Toyota also apparently posted a video statement disputing news reports that the unintended acceleration could be related to other factors such as electronic throttle control systems. Toyota maintained the recalls involved defective mats in the vehicles where the mats could jam the accelerator pedal causing the driver to lose control of the car as in the fatal San Diego car accident.
NHTSA officials have said in no uncertain terms that they will not close the matter until Toyota has effectively addressed the auto product defect by providing a suitable solution. So far, the auto maker has not only failed to provide a solution, but has made a desperate attempt to sweep it all under the rug. Toyota's actions and the federal agency's criticism can only further undermine the auto maker's credibility in the eyes of consumers.
The Question of Design Defects
The auto maker basically attempted to lie to consumers and say that it has a clean bill of health from the NHTSA when in fact it does not. An investigation into the San Diego fatal car accident found that the design of the Lexus accelerator pedal may have enhanced the risk of its being obstructed by the floor mat. However, Toyota continues to focus on the floor mat alone as the issue and denies that these significant design defects caused or contributed to the tragic accident.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured as a result of these Toyota vehicle design defects or other auto product defects, please consult a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who has had a successful track record representing injured clients against large auto makers. Defective product manufacturers should never be able to get away with denying product defects or misleading consumers, who end up suffering the horrible consequences of those defects.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
