Supreme Court ruled that you can File a Suit Even if an Automaker Met all Safety Standards
Since all the automobile recalls recently, many Tennessee residents and people across the country have been concerned or cautious about their safety in their vehicles. Many automaker companies have updated their safety features to make consumers feel safer while driving. However, now the Supreme Court has made a ruling that you can file a lawsuit even if the automaker followed all the safety rules. If you are concerned about your vehicle safety or how this ruling may affect you and your vehicle then you should contact a Tennessee Automobile safety lawyer right away. They will answer any questions you may have and review your case to see if you may be entitled to any compensation.
According to this ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the Mazda automaker could face a lawsuit even if it met federal safety rules due to not having certain safety equipment in their vehicles. This ruling was made because of a 2002 death which involved a crash of a woman in the second row middle seat of a 1993 Mazda MPV. According to that case, Williamson was wearing the seat’s lap belt, but her family is filed a lawsuit claiming that Mazda was negligent for not equipping the middle seat with a three point lap and shoulder belt.
Federal rules only require these kinds of belts for the outboard seats but give Mazda the option of only a lap belt for the middle seat. The lawsuit states that Williamson was killed when her body was jackknifed around the lap belt. The Mazda automaker claims that it is immune to lawsuits because in 1989, the government gave them the option of a shoulder and lap belt or just a lap belt for the middle seat.
The Supreme Court ruled that the only way Mazda would be immune is if the “significant objective” of the federal regulation was to give auto manufacturers a choice of which seat belts to install.” The more important reason why the Department of Transportation did not require lap-and-shoulder belts for rear inner seats was that it thought that this requirement would not be cost-effective.” This ruling allowed the Williamson family to continue with their lawsuit against the Mazda automaker.
Cases like this one unfortunately happen more often than anyone would like. If you or someone you love is concerned about your vehicle’s safety or how this new ruling may affect you and your case, then you should contact one of our experienced and compassionate Tennessee Automobile safety attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will help to put your concerns at ease and see if you may be eligible to receive any compensation for your case.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
