Car Accidents

April 22, 2010

Insurers to sue Toyota for claims; Massachusetts car accident victims may be entitled to refund

Insurance companies are gearing up to recover losses from Toyota on claims insurers paid for accidents caused by defective vehicles, the Associated Press reported.

Toyota owners may also be eligible for reimbursement of deductibles and out-of-pocket medical expenses. However, consulting with a Boston car accident lawyer experienced in handling defective vehicle claims is the best course of action for anyone dealing with a traffic accident involving a defective vehicle.

The move by some of the nation’s largest insurers, including Geico, State Farm and Allstate, is the latest setback for the embattled automaker, which has recalled more than 6 million vehicles this year amid reports of sticking gas pedals, faulty brakes and other safety issues.

Earlier this month, Toyota agreed to pay a $16.375 fine levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The largest fine ever imposed on an automaker by the U.S. government accused Toyota of “failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law.”

And the problems continued last week after Consumer Reports issued a rare “Don’t Buy” warning against the Lexus GX 460 SUV, part of Toyota’s flagship luxury line, amid concerns about possible rollover accidents. Toyota issued a recall after the report.

The NHTSA has linked 52 deaths to claims of sudden acceleration in Toyotas. More than 100 personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have been field across the country. Those suits are currently being consolidated by a federal judge in California, along with more than 100 suits from Toyota owners claiming they have been financially harmed by the falling resale values of their vehicles.
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April 20, 2010

Boston car accidents involving teenagers a summertime danger

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Four teenagers were injured in a weekend Boston car accident after their SUV struck a tree early Saturday morning, the Boston Globe reported.

The accident occurred about 4 a.m. in a Newton Corner neighborhood, sending all four 15-year-old occupants to the hospital, according to the Massachusetts State Police. Emergency personnel used the Jaws of Life to help free the teens, whom were taken to local hospitals with undisclosed injuries.

With summer break rapidly approaching, having a serious conversation with your teenager about the dangers of unsafe driving can be a good way to help ensure your child is not involved in a serious Massachusetts traffic accident.

February 26, 2010

Toyota Sorry Car Defects Led to Injuries & Deaths, Lawsuits Filed

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Toyota Chief Apologizes for Car Defects That Led to Injuries, Deaths

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a joint statement with Health Canada this week warning about the use of certain baby slings. The CPSC says it has identified fourteen suffocation deaths that occurred while babies were in the sling-style carriers. The CPSC says most of the children were younger than four months.

Three of the deaths occurred while infants were in slings by the manufacturer, Infantino. The company issued a recall this week of their “SlingRider” and “Wendy Belissimo” products. They have not taken responsibility for any deaths, however, and insist their products go through rigorous testing internally, with governmental agencies, and by third-party testing organizations.

One of the mothers whose child died while in the SlingRider believes the company sold her a defective product. On May 7, 2009, she set out across a store parking lot with her 7-day old infant in the sling. By the time she reached her car, the child was nearly dead. Her fiance started CPR and paramedics were called to the scene, but he could not be saved. The coroner ruled the baby’s death due to compression asphyxia/suffocation. In January, the mother filed a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages and accusing Infantino of negligence.