Vehicle Safety Recalls

Maryland Personal Injury News: Ford and Chrysler Join Toyota with Safety-related Automobile Recalls

July 29, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Additional recalls have been announced by several of the large automobile manufacturers; Ford, Chrysler and Toyota. The most recent safety recalls include 33,700 small commercial vans made by Ford Motor Company and are due to the vehicle’s headliner not being able to meet all required safety parameters specified for occupant head protection.

As Maryland automobile accident attorneys, we have experience in recall-related injury claims in the Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C. areas. The Ford recall is just one of numerous safety-related recalls that can affect the ability of a vehicle occupant to survive a serious car or truck crash. According to reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that the Ford defect increases the risk of injury to the driver or passengers in the event of a traffic accident.

Ford reportedly advised its dealers to stop delivery of its Transit Connect model, which include vans produced between December 2008 and May 2010. The hold on deliveries would supposedly be in force until a suitable revision of the vehicle’s headliner design could be produced and installed on those vehicles.

Maryland Car Accident Update: Washington, D.C., Area Drivers Sue Toyota over Alleged Acceleration Problem

April 25, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Defective equipment suits, also referred to as product liability lawsuits, against Japanese car manufacturer Toyota are cropping up all over the county. I and my colleagues have the skills and experience to represent individuals who believe their vehicle had a defect that led to an accident involving personal injury or death. Of course, nobody wants to be in an automobile wreck, but from time to time forces beyond a driver’s control can result in a terrible crash.

Head and neck injuries are typical of some high-speed traffic collisions, while bruises, cuts and minor lacerations may be the only injuries in a lower-speed car or semi-truck collision. Whatever the cause, injuries can be costly, not only from a financial standpoint but also over the longer term as some people never fully recover emotionally or physically from a horrible accident.

The latest spate of defective equipment claims against Toyota allege poor accelerator design in a variety of the manufacturer’s models. According to a recent news article, two local D.C. residents have filed suits against Toyota for accidents that left them in need of medical treatment.

Maryland Car Accident News: Another Auto Safety Recall Cites Mitsubishi Passenger Car Airbag Systems

December 17, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Auto safety recalls continue this month with a notice filed with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) by Mitsubishi for the voluntary recall of approximately 30,000 Lance models. According to the report, the defect cited by the Japanese car maker has to do with the proper function of the airbag system. Having represented numerous individuals injured or killed in automobile accidents, I can truly say that malfunctioning airbags are a big safety concern.

This latest recall focuses on 2008 and 2009 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions models either registered or originally sold in nearly two dozen “salt belt” states. The potential problem could prevent the airbags from deploying properly in the event of an accident. According to the recall, Mitsubishi explains that in areas where road salt is heavily used during the winter months, long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and road salt could corrode the airbag sensors.

The corrosion could result in a delay in proper deployment of the airbags during a traffic accident, which “could result in driver or passenger injury.” Depending on the severity of the collision, faulty airbags could also result in death.

Maryland Auto Recall Update: Toyota to Fix Dangerous Unintended Acceleration Problem

December 10, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As auto accident attorneys here in Maryland, we know that car and truck crashes can occur for a variety of reasons. When one of those reasons points to a defective design or service procedure on an automobile, SUV or other passenger car, people take notice. Earlier news reports had stated that Toyota was recalling nearly four million cars including the popular Camry for a seemingly inconsequential problem — a poorly designed floor mat.

In this case, the vehicles’ accelerator pedal could become stuck when pressed to the floor, held down by the floor mat and causing a potential runaway engine scenario and possible injuries. According to reports Toyota has announces a fix for this potential unintended acceleration issue, which may be a relief to many, but which may call into question the quality aspect of Toyota’s engineering and design work going forward.

Apparently Toyota’s unintended acceleration problem won’t be going away any time soon, either. Consumer Reports has recently taken a look at complaints of unintended acceleration from owners of 2008 vehicles, during which the magazine found that 41 percent of the complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) came from Toyota owners.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Toyota Recalls 110,000 Tundra Pickups for Potentially Dangerous Condition

December 6, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Sometimes the most inconsequential problems can become life threatening; such is apparently the case with Toyota’s Tundra pickup trucks. According to reports, the Japanese manufacturer has recalled 110,000 vehicles from the 2000-2003 model years for a rust problem with the crossmember that holds the spare tire to the frame. As Maryland auto accident and personal injury lawyers, our job is to help victims who have been injured or have suffered due to another person’s negligence.

The defect discussed in the news recently could result in the Tundra’s spare tire falling onto the roadway in front of another car, which could cause that driver to lose control and crash. On a highway, this could result in a multi-car accident. It’s wise for Toyota to recall these defective models, which would otherwise be potential hazards on the road.

Information out of Washington, D.C. shows that the government has urged owners to take preventative action by removing the spare tire from the frame before a dangerous situation occurs. The recently announced recall involves Tundras registered in 20 “cold weather” states including the Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Auto Accident News: Toyota Recalls 3.8 Million Vehicles due to Sticking Accelerator Problem

October 12, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Automobile accidents happen for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are defective parts or poorly designed vehicle components. As Maryland auto accident lawyers, the legal professionals at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers represent numerous clients who have been hurt as a result of negligence on the part of another person or corporation. Recently a news article brought up the subject of defective equipment and possible death or injury that can result to car, truck and SUV drivers and their passengers.

According to news reports, car maker, Toyota, has recalled nearly four million vehicles across the United States in what the media says is “Toyota’s largest-ever U.S. recall campaign. The problem is apparently with the removable driver-side floor mat, which could possibly cause the vehicle’s gas pedal to become stuck, resulting in a possible high-speed runaway situation leading potentially to a crash.

The recall involves popular Toyota models such as the Camry — the top-selling passenger car in America — and the company’s hybrid Prius models. News reports state that Toyota is working with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find a fix for the problem.

One Fatality, Many Injuries Prompt Honda to Recall Accord, Civic Models in Maryland and Elsewhere

August 3, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Automotive safety equipment is not supposed to hurt or kill you, yet that is what appears to be the risk with nearly half a million Honda and Acura models being driven in Baltimore and other cities in and around Maryland. According to reports, the defective component is part of the vehicles’ steering wheel airbag system and could cause serious injury or even death to the driver or passengers of these sedans.

Already one fatality and several other lesser injuries have been tied to the airbag defect. Honda announced back in November 2008 that it would be recalling some of its 2001 model year Accord and Civic sedans, but has recently added an additional 440,000 vehicles to the recall.

The potentially life-threatening defect is part of the airbag inflation system in these top-selling Japanese sedans. According to news reports, the inflator assembly can rupture as a result of excessive air pressure, which then can cause metal fragments to shoot through the airbag and possibly hit the occupants.

Kia Optima Models Recalled in Maryland for Potentially Dangerous Condition

June 25, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Kia Motors America has issued a recall for 36,000 Optima models made during the 2001 through 2004 model years. The recall covers a defect of the vehicle’s steel subframe, which could be adversely affected by road salt in certain parts of the country, including Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The problem ultimately could cause a vehicle to become uncontrollable, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.

According to Kia’s defect notice, exposure to road salt can cause critical structural problems, including failure of certain components related to the vehicle’s suspension and steering systems. The notice, which was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the road salt applied in states such as Maryland during the winter months may cause progressive internal corrosion of the car’s subframe. Over time, this kind of structural corrosion can affect areas of the subframe where the lower suspension control arms connect to the vehicle.

If sufficient corrosion occurs in these areas, a number of potentially dangerous conditions can result, such as wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering, or accelerated abnormal tire wear. Ultimately, this kind of condition can lead to “wheel separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash,” according to Kia.

The states affected by the recall include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

Kia dealers will inspect recalled cars, and if necessary, repair the subframe free of charge. Dealers are expected to contact owners through the mail this month, but those who wish to make their own repair arrangements may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.