• 17
  • May
    2011

In 2009, after drivers reported "sudden acceleration" problems with gas petals in various Toyota vehicles, the auto manufacturer began recalling millions of vehicles. Since then, the company has been proactive in its mitigation efforts; the company paid out almost $50 million in civil penalties and in 2010 reported that efforts were being made to reinforce the pedal assembly and fix the accelerator pedals.

But, not until recently, has a judge or jury come to a decision regarding the company's civil liability with these problems.

Last month, in Sitafalwalla v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., a jury from the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, ruled in favor of Toyota. The plaintiff filed a product liability suit against the automaker alleging that the faulty floor mats or electronic throttle control system in his 2005 Toyota Scion had design defects and thereby caused the vehicle to unexpectedly accelerate and crash into a tree. The plaintiff also claimed that Toyota should have installed a brake override system that could have prevented the crash but didn't.

However, Toyota argued that Sitafalwall was responsible for the crash because he inadvertently stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the break.

The jury, it seems, agreed.

Sitafalwalla v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., is the first case to come before and be decided by a jury regarding the acceleration problems in Toyota automobiles. However, Toyota's problems are far from over. The Japanese company faces hundreds of other similar lawsuits relating to acceleration issues.

The decision to appeal has yet to be decided.

Source: http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/news/2011/04_-_april/toyota_wins_first_u_s__jury_verdict_over_acceleration/