Toyota settles acceleration claims

Recently, several lawsuits have been filed against Toyota, accusing the car manufacturer of acceleration problems in their newest car models. The Associated Press reports that the company has settled a number of these cases, but questions still remain as to whether attorneys representing the plaintiffs could prove that there is a design flaw in the latest automobile models.

Toyota is claiming that faulty floor mats, stuck accelerator pedals and driver errors are causing the acceleration problems, while the plaintiffs allege that the throttle control system is at fault. So far, the car maker has spent more than $1 billion on settlements for suits claiming wrongful death and economic losses. The company does not seem to want a costly legal battle and has decided to offer settlements in many of these cases.

“A bad loss in a jury trial would inflict lasting damage to Toyota in loss of public confidence,” Los Angeles-based attorney Christine Spagnoli told the news source. “I believe Toyota will continue to look for better opportunities to get a win.”

In Utah, a family sued Toyota after the patriarch, Paul Van Alfen​,and his son’s fiancée, Charlene Jones Lloyd, were killed on impact after their car slammed into a wall. Witnesses and survivors of the crash have claimed that it was due to a stuck accelerator pedal. The suit was settled out of court.

Arizona-based companies dealing with consumer complaints and disputes would be wise to consult Phoenix business attorneys who have vast experience with running an agency or organization. Business owners would also benefit from following the consumer safety laws of Arizona as well as the federal government in order to keep their customers well-protected and ensure their products are top-of-the-line.

Categorised in: International Business Law

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