Parents File Massachusetts $7M SUV Rollover Lawsuit Against Mitsubishi Motors Over Teenagers 2009 Wrongful Death
In their Massachusetts SUV lawsuit, the Fosters claim that the vehicle had several design defects, including poor maneuverability, a design that doesn’t protect occupants during rollovers, a high gravity center, and a tendency to oversteer. They contend that the automaker failed to warn about the flaws, defects, and/or the faulty design of the vehicle.
According to the Fosters’ auto defects attorney, Mitsubishi knew about these vehicle defects that they are complaining about yet failed to act to remedy them. The couple is also seeking damages for emotional distress, negligence, and violation of state’s consumer protection laws. Mitsubishi is denying the Fosters’ allegations.
The Fosters are not the first to file an auto products liability complaint claiming that the SUV is a rollover risk. The failure to include electronic stability control on all models, the likelihood that the vehicle roof and pillars could collapse, and faulty seat belts are among the allegations that others have made. Some of the cases have resulted in juries awarding damages of up to $11 million.
SUV Rollovers
It is no longer news that SUVs are at greater risk of rolling over than passenger cars. Broken bones, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, crush injuries, head injuries, and neck injuries, are just some of the injuries that can be sustained in an SUV rollover. Vehicle ejection during a rollover crash is also not uncommon. Auto manufacturers know this and it is their job to make sure that their sport utility vehicles are designed to be as safe as possible so that the chances of an SUV rollover are minimized.
Parents file lawsuit over teens’ death, Salem News, March 29, 2011
Related Web Resources:
aferCar.gov
Before you buy an SUV, PBS
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