A single-vehicle crash that occurred in 2007 has sparked the fourth wrongful death lawsuit against Toyota in conjunction with the string of recent recalls by the world’s leading automobile manufacturer. Tyrene Livingston was driving to her internship on October 26, 2007, when a defect in her car’s electronic throttle system allegedly caused the car to drive across three lanes of traffic, through a barrier and into some woods. The 21-year old college student suffered severe injuries that proved to be fatal. Four days prior to her accident, she had told her Toyota dealership that her brakes were problematic. The dealership claimed her car was fine.
Tyrene’s case is unique in regard to the recalls, as she drove a 2007 Toyota Yaris hatchback. This is the first known case of a Yaris vehicle experience problems with the electronic throttle system or sudden unintended acceleration. Since October 2009, Toyota has recalled nine models of vehicle, including the top-selling Camry, Corolla, and the Prius hybrid. However, the Yaris is not among the vehicles having been recalled at this point.
A Houston man recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Toyota after his wife was killed in an automobile accident. He claims that a malfunctioning gas pedal caused his wife’s 2009 Corolla to crash. In December 2009, a 67-year old Nebraska woman was driving with her husband in their 2006 Toyota Prius when the car allegedly accelerated on its own accord, slamming into a Subaru. The husband died as a result of the accident. Both the Corolla and Prius have been cited in recent recalls for having issues with sudden unintended acceleration.
The news of the latest wrongful death lawsuit comes as Toyota leadership has been busy meeting with U.S. government agencies regarding the massive recall that involves nearly 10 million vehicles. Toyota’s President Akio Toyoda met with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today, offering to take full responsibility for the problems that Toyota vehicles have caused American consumers.
However, Toyota’s leadership drew heavy criticism only days ago after an internal memo was leaked, proclaiming that the company had urged federal legislators to delay the initial October 2009 recall. By delaying that recall, Toyota saved more than $100 million last year.
If you or a loved one owns one of the affected Toyota models and have experienced problems with sudden unintended acceleration or stuck accelerators, contact Newsome Law Firm and fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with automobile recalls. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.