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Toyota's Massive Vehicle Recall May Prompt Thousands of Lawsuits
Seattle Defective Product Recall Attorneys Help Those Injured by Toyota
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Millions of people in the United States drive Toyota vehicles, and almost all of us depend on our transportation to get us to our jobs and to maintain our routines. Therefore, when news of several massive Toyota recalls hit the news, people everywhere were rightfully concerned. Defective vehicles are obviously extremely dangerous, and those who are stuck with a model affected by these Toyota recalls are looking for help.
Below you’ll find information regarding what led to these defective Toyota recalls, the models that are affected by this situation, the fallout that could occur for anyone who is driving a defective Toyota and the company’s response. Finally, you’ll find information regarding how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of driving a defective Toyota.
The Reasons for the Defective Toyota Recalls
There have been several different Toyota recalls, and except for one unrelated recent Toyota recall, all of these separate steps were taken for the same reason but merely expanded the number of vehicles affected. The Toyota recalls were initiated because of a serious problem with the accelerator pedal on several different Toyota models.
The Toyotas recalled had a tendency to have the accelerator pedal stick in an improper position near the floor of the interior cabin. When this occurs, the vehicles have a tendency to accelerate suddenly, wildly and with no forewarning to the driver or passengers inside the automobile. Initially, Toyota offered no reason or uniform step that could be taken to alleviate this serious concern.
The original directive issued by Toyota for those who found their vehicles suddenly accelerating because of a defective accelerator pedal was to push down steadily on the brake pad, to slam the car into neutral if necessary and to get the vehicle off to the side of the road safely. Drivers were then instructed to contact the nearest Toyota dealership for necessary repairs. Of course, this all assumed that the driver of a defective Toyota would be able to accomplish these tasks safely and in a matter of seconds.
Aside from the Toyota recall in response to the defective accelerator pedal problem, another Toyota recall was issued recently for the 2010 Toyota Prius. This Toyota recall was initiated because of an apparent problem with the braking systems that accompany this model. The Prius is one of the highest-selling hybrid vehicles in the world.
Defective Toyota Recall – Models Affected
Below is the list of vehicle models and years of manufacture affected by the Toyota recalls:
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2008-2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2004-2009 Prius
- 2010 Prius (recalled for defective braking system)
- 2005-2010 Tacoma
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2009-2010 VENZA
If you currently drive any of these models, you need to take extreme precautions regarding your driving routines. These Toyota defects could arise at any time, and depending on the circumstances could immediately create a situation of grave danger for you, your passengers and anyone else nearby on the roads all at once.
Potential Fallout from Driving a Defective Toyota
While individual stories regarding defective Toyotas affected by these recalls continue to arise, the potential risks involved with driving one of these vehicles should be very clear. When a vehicle accelerates without the knowledge or even against the wishes of its driver, a loss of control results and could lead to disaster.
If such a sudden acceleration occurs in conditions that involve heavy traffic, every vehicle on the road at that time is instantly put in a situation of danger. In addition, if this situation arises in a location where there is no option for pulling the vehicle over to safety assuming the driver is even able to do so, the consequences could be deadly. The same dangerous scenarios could arise for someone driving a 2010 Toyota Prius with a defective braking system.
The United States Congress has recently gotten involved and hearings where Toyota officials have testified have revealed little to this point. Of interest to many is the revelation that internal Toyota documents show boasting of saving approximately $100 million by avoiding a more expensive recall. Toyota officials have also told officials that the company was perhaps growing too quickly to properly manage every aspect of the organization.
Defective Toyota Recall Lawyers Can Help
If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of driving a defective Toyota vehicle, you need to take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. The first step should be to contact the defective Toyota recall lawyers at the law firm of Phillips Webster to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has a long track record of holding large corporations accountable for releasing defective products onto the marketplace. Contact the firm today to get this process started.
