Toyota Acceleration Defects Now Allegedly Linked to 34 Car Accident Deaths

Even as Toyota dealers are repairing most of their new cars that were recalled over a gas pedal defectso they are ready to be sold, now there is more bad news for the automaker. According to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been an increase in the number of consumer complaints over Toyota’s vehicles in the wake of its recall of 8.5 million vehicles over problems with the brakes, floor mats, and gas pedals.
Since January 27, NHTSA says it has received new complaints of Toyota acceleration accidents that allegedly happened between 2005 and 2010 and resulting in 10 injuries and 13 deaths. These figures are in addition to reports of another 21 fatalities that are being linked to Toyota cars.
According to the New York Times, one deadly accident involved a Harvard University professor, 63, who lost control of his 2005 Toyota Highlander and crashed into another vehicle. The New Hampshire car crash claimed the lives of both drivers and two of the professor’s family members. Police were not able to determine what caused the motor vehicle collision and the 2005 Toyota Highlander is not among the vehicles recalled. Another fatal crash involves a man who was killed in a single Texas car crash when his 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck struck a pole last January.
After the car manufacturer recalled its 2010 Prius hybrid autos last week, NHTSA says that from February 3 – 11 it received 996 consumer complaints alleging 34 Toyota car crashes that resulted in six injuries. Prior to launching its investigation, NHTSA had 124 consumer complaints on record.
Already, Newsoxy.com reports that a widow has filed a Nebraska auto products liability lawsuit suing Toyota for her husband’s wrongful death. He died when their Prius accelerated and crashed.
Meantime, new safety issues continue to arise. On Friday, Toyota announced that it was voluntarily recalling 8,000 2010 Tacoma four-wheel drive pickup trucks because possible cracks on the front drive shaft might cause the joint portion and the shaft to separate from one another. If this happens, the driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Number of Toyota complaints keeps climbing, CNN Money, February 15, 2010
Toyota Tacoma Recall Announced, MyFox, February 13, 2010
Toyota Recall News Reveals Tacoma and Prius Lawsuit, NewsOxy, February 16, 2010
U.S. Gets Additional Complaints of Crashes of Toyotas, New York Times, February 15, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

If you were the victim of a Toyota acceleration crash, please contact our automotive products liability lawyers today.

Categories

We Want to Hear aBOUT yOUR cASE

Schedule a Free Consultation Today 
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.