An accident that killed four people in San Diego County in August 2009, involving a 2009 Lexus ES350, was likely a factor in Toyota Motor Corp’s “urgent” recall of more than 3.9 million vehicles on Sept. 29, 2009. This guide explains Toyota’s biggest recall ever & the recent events that prompted it.
1
NHTSA Confirms: More Than 100 Confirmed Accidents Caused by Stuck Accelerators
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed known 102 incidents involving 2004-2009 model year vehicles relating to stuck accelerators and defective floor mats. A notice posted on Toyota and Lexus’ web sites explains to Toyota and Lexus owners, ““Recent events have prompted Toyota (and Lexus) to take a closer look at the potential for an accelerator pedal to get stuck in the full open position due to an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.” According to the NHTSA, 42 of the 102 known accidents involved a 2007 Lexus ES350. The confirmed events included a 4-person fatality crash in Santee, CA on August 28, 2009, involving a 2009 Lexus ES350 (a Lexus dealer loaner vehicle) driven by a veteran CHP officer.
2
Recalled Toyota and Lexus Vehicle Models
Toyota Motor Corp’s recall of 3.8 million cars (the largest recall in company history) affects the Toyota Camry (2000-2010), Toyota Avalon (2005-2010), Toyota Prius (2004-2009), Toyota Tacoma (2005-2010), Toyota Tundra (2007-2010), Lexus ES 350 (2007-2010), Lexus
IS 250 (2006-2010), and the Lexus IS 350 (2006-2010). A recall was issued in 2007 for an all-weather accessory floor mat sold for some 2007 and 2008 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry models. If you drive any of these cars, you should remove your floor mat immediately and contact Toyota or Lexus for more information (phone numbers and web links provided below). You are advised not to replace the floor mat with any replacement floor mat until Toyota has come up with a safe replacement.
3
What To Do If You’ve Been Involved in an Accident
If you have been hurt – or if someone close to you has died – in an accident involving one of the recalled vehicles, and you believe it might have been caused by a stuck accelerator, you should contact an experienced auto defect attorney for a free review of your legal rights. Most personal injury attorneys provide free consultations and handle cases on a “no win, no fee” basis. You may be entitled to compensation from the party or parties responsible for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, or a loved one’s wrongful death.
Comments - add comment