The mother of Tyrene Livingston is suing Toyota for Los Angeles wrongful death. Sandra Livingston filed her California auto products liability lawsuit on Monday.
Her Los Angeles County products liability complaint claims that in 2007, Tyrene, 21, brought her new Toyota Yaris back to the dealer because she was experiencing brake problems. The dealer reportedly told her that her car was working fine. Unfortunately, four days after the Toyota accelerated out of control and she died at the crash site.
Although the Toyota acceleration accident took place in Pennsylvania, Sandra filed her wrongful death complaint in California, because that is where Toyota's North American headquarters is located. Sandra claims in her lawsuit that the automaker should have provided either a means for the brake to override the system or a mechanical connection between the engine and the brake.
Our California Injury Lawyers Blog has been closely monitoring the acceleration problems that have been plaguing Toyota and the owners of its vehicles. So far, the car manufacturer has recalled over 8.5 million Toyota vehicles over issues with the gas pedals, brakes, and floor mats.
This week, Toyota's top US sales executive, James E. Lentz, stood before the House Commerce and Energy Committee and apologized over the problems that led to the need to recall so many autos. While repairs have been made to alleviate the sticking gas pedals and ill-fitting floor mats, Lentz acknowledged that the repairs won't completely solve the problems. He noted that electronics could be a possible cause of the sudden acceleration incidents that has led to Toyota drivers losing control of their vehicles. Lentz says the automaker intends to install electronic programming that will let the brake override the throttle on more autos than what was previously announced.
Toyota exec says recall won't 'totally' fix problem, Los Angeles Times, February 23, 2010
LI mom sues Toyota over death crash, New York Post, February 23, 2010
Related Web Resources:
NHTSA Launches Probe into Timeliness of Three Toyota Recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, February 16, 2010
Toyota Motor Corp.
