Automobile版 - Toyota Not Liable in Camry Driver's Death |
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发帖数: 14557 | 1 http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2013/10/jury-finds-toyota-no
After a string of federal penalties and settlements topping $1 billion, all
pertaining to Toyota's unintended-acceleration recalls, the automaker scored
a victory this week in Superior Court in Los Angeles. A jury ruled that
Toyota was not liable for the death of a California woman killed in a 2009
car crash.
The suit had claimed that Noriko Uno died because her 2006 Toyota Camry
lacked a brake override system when she was struck by another vehicle before
hitting a telephone pole and a tree. The family was seeking $20 million in
damages, saying the accident could have been averted if the Camry was
equipped with brake override.
Toyota during the past three years has recalled millions of vehicles
worldwide after drivers reported vehicles were surging unexpectedly. This
latest verdict, handed down Thursday, was being closely watched as an
indicator of how future lawsuits related to the unintended-acceleration case
would play out.
"We sympathize with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles as
well as the family and friends of Noriko Uno," Toyota said in a statement. "
Regarding the verdict, we are gratified that the jury concluded the design
of the 2006 Camry did not contributed to this unfortunate accident … . As
an important bellwether in these state proceedings, we believe this verdict
sets a significant benchmark by helping further confirm that Toyota vehicles
are safe with or without brake override."
According to USA Today, the plaintiffs' attorney argued that the automaker "
made safety an option instead of standard" by not installing a mechanism to
override the accelerator, and it failed to warn customers of what to do if
the accelerator stuck. |
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