With the third toyota recall in just under six months well under way, the owners of the eight million vehicles that have been impacted by the recall are starting to wonder exactly when Toyota knew about these safety defects and why something wasn’t done sooner. Along with the vehicle owners themselves, some fairly important people and organizations are asking questions about when Toyota became aware of the problems. Numerous watchdog groups are calling for answers as well as Congress. Toyota officials are expected to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee at the end of this month and further hearings in front of congressional committees are expected in the future
It turns out that the owners, the public and Congress aren’t the only people asking questions – or making accustations regarding Toyota’s knowledge. Most people would be surprised to learn that Dimitrios Biller, who was the automaker’s national managing counsel for its rollover cases from 2003 through 2007, filed a federal “whistle blower” suit against the giant automaker back in July of 2009 in Federal Court. Among other things alleged in his Complaint, Biller alleges that Toyota enaged in a conspiracy to obstruct justice for years by illegally withholding important documents in hundreds of product liability cases wherein Toyota was the Defendant. Additionally, Biller claims that Toyota misled the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to protect Toyota’s bottom line when the NHTSA was considering tougher regulations for increased roof strength. It may be years before Mr. Biller’s Complaint against Toyota is concluded in Federal Court. In the meantime, his accusations fuel the speculations that Toyota may have known about these safety defects for some time before they finally decided to recall the vehicles.
Now, just eight months after Mr. Biller’s complaint was filed, some eight million vehicle owners are faced with the knowledge that their vehicles have serious safety defects. Many of those vehicles have already been involved in accidents – some ending in serious injury or even death to the driver or occupants. Although product liability law is a very complex area of the law, one thing is clear – at the moment that Toyota knew that they had manufactured a defective product, they had an obligation to inform the public and repair or replace the product.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of an accident involving one of the recalled vehicles, seek the advice of an experienced California personal injury and product liability attorney immediately. Only an experienced California attorney can answer any questions you might have as well as assess the facts and circumstances of your specific case. If Toyota is responsible, in whole or in part, for injuries you have suffered, then you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you have suffered.
If you believe that one of the vehicles involved in the recent Toyota recalls is responsible, in whole or in part, for injuries you suffered in an accident, contact an experienced California personal injury and product liability attorney to discuss your options.
If you would like an experienced attorney to evaluate your case, contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit us at www.ledgerlaw.com.
