On March 25, 2002, Shirley Sullivan was severely injured when she was ejected out the rear of her 2002 Buick Rendezvous after a side-impact collision. We filed suit alleging that the vehicle was defective because the seatback of her seat broke rearward allowing her to be thrown into the back of the vehicle. It was also alleged that the rear liftgate was defective because it failed to remain closed preventing her ejection. The case resolved for a confidential amount. Ultimately, General Motors voluntarily recalled over 100,000 Buick Rendezvous vehicles to reinforce the rear liftgate to prevent unwanted openings in accidents.