(Newswire.net — July 23, 2013) Scottsdale. AZ — In what many refer to as a landmark settlement for automobile defect class action, Toyota Motors Corporation has won court approval to pay US consumers $1.63 billion last Friday, July 19. The settlement arose from plaintiff claims that their vehicles have lost value due to reports that Toyota’s carpet design may cause it to press against the accelerator pedals and cause the car to accelerate unintentionally. The approval was signed by Judge James V. Selna of Santa Ana, California.
“I find this settlement to be extraordinary because every single dollar in the cash fund will go to claimants,” said Judge Selna. It will be recalled that he deferred to make a decision in a hearing last June to allow Toyota to prepare a presentation on how they intend to distribute the money.
An unprecedented 10 million vehicles worldwide were recalled by Toyota—the third largest car supplier in the US—between 2009 and 2010 following reports of motor vehicle accidents involving several Toyota models and costumer complaints of unintended acceleration. The settlement highlights the Japanese car makers’ commitment to customer service.
“This agreement allows us to resolve a legacy legal issue in a way that provides significant value to our customers and demonstrates that they can depend on Toyota to stand behind our vehicles,” said Toyota’s spokesperson, Celeste Migliore, after the hearing.
However, the settlement stops short of resolving personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits linked to the automobile defect claims such as the case of 66 year-old Noriko Uno of Upland, Los Angeles, whose Toyota Camry went off a median barrier before crashing onto a telephone pole and a tree, killing her instantly. Her case could set the precedent for other motorist victims involving Toyota’s recalled vehicles.
The $1.6 billion settlement sets the stage for Uno’s wrongful death claim. Jury selection for the case is set on Monday, July 22. 2013.
Other reported accidents involving Toyota’s unintended acceleration issue includes that of California Highway Patrol Officer and his three family members who died when his 2009 Lexus crashed on the San Diego freeway in August 28, 2009, and four Jehovah’s Witnesses who met their death in a 2008 Avalon which crashed through a metal fence and turned turtle into 6 foot deep pond in Southlake, Texas the day after Christmas of 2009.
Michael Nysather states “We have only begun to see the wrongful death and personal injury claims related to this tragic manufacturer defect by Toyota…I suspect these will be stormy waters to navigate for the automobile manufacturer in the months and years to come due to these cases”
Sun City personal injury lawyer Michael Nysather stressed the need to acquire the help of experienced accident lawyers in cases involving motor vehicle accidents.
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