Sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) is a vehicle defect that occurs when a vehicle is unable to slow down or stop due to an electronic failure or something obstructing the pedals, such as an unsecured floor mat.
In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 166 complaints regarding SUA. Although these incidents were reported to occur in more than 22 vehicle brands, Toyota and Lexus vehicles were responsible for over 33 percent of all sudden unintended acceleration complaints. In fact, Toyota had more SUA reports than GM, Honda, Nissan, and Chrysler combined.
If you or a loved one has experienced sudden unintended acceleration, don’t wait. At Gill Ports Hoste LLC, our Chicago product liability attorneys are here to help victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Our legal team is committed to helping victims get through the legal process as efficiently and painlessly as possible.
For more information about your potential case, contact an experienced sudden unintended acceleration lawyer in Chicago today.
How Sudden Unintended Acceleration Can Cause Fatal Car Accidents
Tragically, when sudden unintended acceleration occurs, it typically has severe, if not fatal, consequences, as drivers are usually unable to get control of the vehicle and the car eventually crashes. More than 300 people are killed, and over 5,400 are injured in SUA accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Given the severity of these types of auto accidents, as well as the fact that they are usually caused by an auto manufacturer’s negligence, injured parties will most likely have a legal claim against the maker of their car, allowing them to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an SUA accident or if you have lost a loved one in such a crash, contact the highly qualified Chicago sudden unintended acceleration attorneys at Gill Ports Hoste LLC.
How Auto Manufacturers Have Responded to Sudden Unintended Acceleration Reports
Reports of sudden unintended acceleration have been in U.S. headlines for about 30 years. In fact, throughout the 1980s alone, there were more than 1,000 SUA reports filed with the NHTSA. More recent incidences of SUA include the following:
- September 2009, Pismo Beach, California: A man was injured, and his wife was killed when their Camry suddenly accelerated, failed to stop, and drove over a cliff into the surf.
- August 2009, San Diego, California: A family of four (including a California Highway Patrol officer) died when the floor mat caught and forced down the accelerator in their Lexus, causing the car to suddenly accelerate and ultimately crash into an embankment.
In response to such tragedies, some automakers have issued recalls to fix faulty electronic systems and to secure floor mats. In fact, in response to the above-mentioned August accident, Toyota recalled 3.8 million vehicles the following month, as they were all suspected of having defective floor mats.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Chicago Sudden Unintended Acceleration Lawsuit
Victims of SUA crashes, as well as families of those killed by SUA accidents, will most likely have a legal right to collect compensation for losses such as:
- Funeral and burial costs, in the event of an SUA fatality
- Outstanding medical bills
- Ongoing treatment costs
- Permanent disabilities
- Lost wages during recovery
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
An experienced sudden unintended acceleration lawyer can help you identify and pursue all of the compensation you may be entitled to following an SUA accident.
Speak With a Chicago SUA Accident Attorney Today for a Free Consultation
To talk to an experienced sudden unintended acceleration lawyer in Chicago, call Gill Ports Hoste LLC at (312) 372-8893 to schedule a free consultation or send us a message online.