Toyota Acceleration

Have You Been Injured as a Result of Sudden Unintended Acceleration in a Toyota?

Individuals across the country and especially here in Nashville, Tennessee rely on their vehicles daily with an expectation of safety. However, tragedy can occur when the very vehicles that people rely on end up malfunctioning and creating a danger to both those in the vehicle and others on the road. For over a decade there have been hundreds of reports of drivers experiencing sudden unintended acceleration in their Toyota or Lexus. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a sudden unintended acceleration in a Toyota or Lexus, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Higgins Firm, our experienced Nashville Toyota accident attorneys can answer any questions that you may have related to your accident.

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What is Sudden Unintended Acceleration?

Thousands of drivers have been affected by sudden unintended acceleration in their Toyota or Lexus, but what exactly is it? Often with sudden unintended acceleration, the driver can be driving down the road normally when the accelerator suddenly becomes stuck or even pushes further down. As the accelerator becomes stuck or pushes further toward the floor, the car begins to pick up speed. The driver may attempt to overcome the high speeds by pressing the brake pedal, but even the brakes may not be able to overpower the open throttle. Drivers experiencing the sudden unintended acceleration have described the vehicle as having “a mind of its own.” It is obvious that with increasing speeds and no means of stopping the vehicle just how dangerous this can be.

Background on Toyota Sudden Unintended Acceleration

Since 1999, there have been over 2,000 reports from Toyota and Lexus owners experiencing sudden unintended acceleration over a wide range of circumstances. In addition, instances of sudden unintended acceleration have resulted in 815 crashes, 341 injuries, and 19 deaths. In 2009, a 911 call famously recorded a driver experiencing the sudden unintended acceleration of a Lexus. A California Highway Patrol Officer and three family members were inside a Lexus ES 350 when the throttle became stuck in the full open position. The vehicle reached speeds of over 100 mph before crashing and bursting into flames tragically killing those inside.

What Causes Sudden Unintended Acceleration?

Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association have been unable to identify all the causes of sudden unintended acceleration. With the issue occurring in a variety of makes and models, Toyota has had difficulty in identifying the defective part or problem ultimately causing the issue. Initially, Toyota placed the blame on customers for improperly installing floor mats, taking no further action to determine the cause of the sudden unintended acceleration. However as the issue became more prevalent, Toyota began to issue recalls for many of the models that had been affected. Toyota identified a number of possible flaws including driver’s side floor mats, the pedal mechanism, the pedal placement, or a combination of these problems. Another potential flaw that has received scrutiny is the electronic throttle system. Although Toyota has identified potential flaws, the automaker has failed to fully examine the interactions between the mechanical workings of the vehicle and the sophisticated electronic systems that influence them.

The Higgins Firm in Nashville is Here to Help

You or a loved one may have been injured as a result of a sudden unintended acceleration in a Toyota or Lexus. If so, our experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers are here to help you in any way that we can.

Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.