Toyota Defects and Injuries
Washington, DC Car Accident Lawyers
When we purchase a new product, we like to think it is well-designed, well-built, and free of defects. For the most part, the new products we purchase and the new cars we drive off the lot are safe and free of flaws. Sadly, however, consumers sometimes do purchase products that are not safe; some of those defective products can even be deadly.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a defective vehicle or product in Washington, DC, please contact the car accident attorneys at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata Siegel, P.C. today to schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation.
Massive Toyota Recall
For many years now, Toyota Motor Corporation has enjoyed a reputation of producing safe, reliable, and economical cars. In fact, the Toyota Camry was the nation’s best-selling car four years in a row from 2001-2005. Due to product defects and the subsequent recall of millions of Toyota vehicles, many consumers have lost faith in the car company that has ruled the roost for many years. Toyota had to cease sales of many vehicles and lost billions of dollars in revenue. They also came under fire in many personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
Beginning in 2014, Toyota began to recall thousands of vehicles, with the number of recalls reaching the millions by 2009. In 2009 a variety of makes and models were recalled due to the pedals getting stuck under floor mats. Just a few months later, Toyota Motor Corporation was forced to announce yet another, even larger recall due to accelerator pedals sticking, causing sudden acceleration, which can, of course, result in accidents causing serious personal injury and even death.
The first recall (due to gas pedals getting stuck under floor mats) involved these vehicles:
- Toyota Prius (2004–09)
- Toyota Avalon (2005–10)
- Toyota Tacoma (2005–10)
- Lexus IS 250 (2006–10)
- Lexus IS 350 (2006–10)
- Lexus ES 350 (2007–10)
- Toyota Camry (2007–10)
- Toyota Tundra (2007–10)
The second recall due to accelerator pedals sticking involved these vehicles:
- Toyota Rav4, Corolla, Matrix (2009-2010)
- Avalon (2005-2010)
- Camry (2007-2010)
- Highlander (2010)
- Tundra (2007-2010)
- Sequoia (2008-2010)
Complaints also skyrocketed over the 2010 Prius hybrid, which was recalled in February 2010 due to problems with the braking system.
Injury/Death Numbers Are Not Definitive
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been maintaining a database to document complaints of injuries and deaths associated with defective Toyotas. In May 2010, the NHTSA announced that they estimate 89 deaths occurred between the years 2000-2009 due to the unintended acceleration defect in Toyota vehicles.
Toyota released a statement entitled “Our Commitment to Customers” that assured consumers the company is fixing up to 50,000 vehicles each day. Engineers have since fixed the problem and Toyota has been taking steps to learn from this experience to ensure it never happens again.
Legal Help is Available
If you have suffered injuries due to an accident caused by a defective vehicle, you may face long-term consequences such as reduced or no income, mounting medical bills, physical rehabilitation, funeral expenses (in the case of a wrongful death), and other expenses related to your injury or a fatality. Your life may be forever changed; the financial security you once enjoyed may disappear. We understand what you are going through and we can help you just as we have helped countless others.
Product liability cases can be complex and can take a while to be resolved. We want you to focus on getting well again, while we focus on fighting to get you the justice and financial compensation to which you are entitled. At this time, it is unclear how many innocent drivers have sustained injuries due to defective Toyotas.
Please contact us today if you believe you may have a valid defective vehicle claim against Toyota.
