Toyota Denies Claims of Electronic Defect Causing Unintended Acceleration
Following several congressional hearings and investigations led by federal officials amidst the recall of millions of vehicle models, Toyota remains firm in denying that any electronic flaw is the cause of throttle problems or unintended acceleration. According to a Los Angeles Times article, a March 8, 2010 presentation was held at Toyota’s operations center in Torrance, CA.
Apparently, five engineers have responded to a Southern Illinois University assistant professor’s findings which support that he can create an electrical flaw in Toyota vehicles without the vehicles’ diagnostic system picking it up. The article also mentions that if the assistant professor’s study is determined to be accurate, claims may be made by some Toyota consumers regarding incidents of unintended acceleration without a trouble code being initiated on the vehicles’ computers.
While Toyota engineers support the claim that the assistant professor’s tests are “an unrealistic manipulation,” the automaker has been asked by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to provide a company employee memo that may reveal safety risks being taken as a way to save the company money. While Toyota continues to defend itself against claims of electrical defect, there is no doubt that some Toyota motorists and passengers have experienced the consequences of sudden acceleration in injury and fatal auto accidents.
A Massachusetts automotive advocacy group has been able to identify 3,306 unintended gas pedal accidents with Toyota cars since 1999. Out of these incidents, 1,159 resulted in crashes with 469 injuries and 39 deaths. The other issue Toyota faces relates to the drivers (amounting to over 60) who have reported incidents of sudden acceleration after having their recalled vehicles fixed by the automaker. This data was released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the first week of March.
The skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law understand how being harmed by a defective product can pose several emotional, physical, and financial challenges to an injury victim. If a manufacturer of a defective auto failed to properly detect a flaw in the design or manufacturing process and you have been injured as a result, you may be able to hold that manufacturer liable. Call the Page Law experienced personal injury lawyers today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal rights.
Source reports: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-demo9-2010mar09,0,5500476.story; http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/ca/2010/10/articles/toyota_plans_live_webcast_torrance_support_its.html
