TOYOTA ISSUES A SECOND RECALL; STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDALS CAN INJURE AND HURT PEOPLE

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Accident Lawyer)

Several months ago in November, 2009 Toyota Motors issued a massive recall - the largest in Toyota history - of 4,200,000 cars, trucks and SUVs. It seems that gas pedals were getting jammed down by floor mats, causing a risk of accidents and catastrophic injury. Toyota suggested that vehicle owners remove the mats until it could think of a proper fix. That problem (leading to the November recall) was associated with several accidents, including a car going out of control involving a Lexus in California that reached speeds greater than 120 mph before crashing and killing four people.

On Thursday January 20, 2010 Toyota announced the recall of an additional 2,300,000 cars, trucks and SUVs. Apparently their accelerator pedals are getting stuck, even without floor mats to jam them down. The vehicle's throttle can stick in the open position, and braking may not stop the car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating two accidents in Texas and New Jersey. Four people died on December 26, 2009 near Dallas when a Toyota Avalon left the road and flew into a pond. Police found the floor mats in the Avalon's trunk. No accidents or personal injuries have been reported in New York.

Some 1,700,000 motor vehicles are included in both separate recalls, including Toyota's famous Camry.

So there's no misunderstanding Dear Readers, when accelerator pedals get stuck in the down position cars experience "sudden unintended acceleration," a phrase which sends shivers down the spine of motor vehicle company executives from New York to Nova Scotia. Why? Because we're talking about high speed loss-of-control-type driving that can kill and maim and cause serious injury or death. Not good for the reputation of a manufacturer of cars, trucks and SUVs.  Stock prices can drop, sales can drop, and personal injury lawyers can line up to sue for compensatory money damages or even punitive damages (to punish gross recklessness, negligence or carelessness).

For this latest recall Toyota issued a press release rather quickly, before even sending letters to car owners. This is probably as a result of an upcoming news report from ABC broadcasting network.

According to Toyota's press release, it is recalling the following vehicles:

• 2009-10 RAV4
• 2009-10 Corolla
• 2009-10 Matrix
• 2005-10 Avalon
• 2007-10 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-10 Tundra
• 2008-10 Sequoia

Comment: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement saying that the problem is "a serious safety issue and we are pleased Toyota is taking immediate action to address it."