Friday, February 15, 2013

Defective Airbags Prompt Toyota Recall of Almost 900,000 Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of 887,709 potentially affected Toyota Corolla and Pontiac Vibe vehicles due to an airbag defect.

The vehicles’ supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits may short, creating an abnormal flow of electrical current, which subsequently increases the level of heat and potentially damages the circuits. As a result, the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners may malfunction and inadvertently deploy the airbags, increasing the risk of a car accident and/or injury.

Toyota is recalling model year 2003 – 2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix cars, and General Motors is recalling model year 2003 – 2004 Pontiac Vibe cars.

What to Do Now


Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified by Toyota or General Motors and dealers will install a supplemental harness including an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness at no cost. A recall notification schedule has not yet been established.

If you would like additional information regarding this recall you can call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Pontiac at (800) 620-7668. You can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 or visit www.safecar.gov.

What if the Defect Has Already Caused Injury?


Recalls are necessary safety measures, but they sometimes come too late to prevent all incidents of injury. If you have been injured directly as the result of an auto defect or a car accident caused by an auto defect, you may be able to hold the auto manufacturer financially responsible for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages. To find out if taking legal action is the best option for your particular situation, contact Kiley Law Group today to discuss your legal rights.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Truck Driver in Fatal Wellesley Bicycle Crash Sued for Wrongful Death

The driver in the August 18-wheel truck collision with a bicycle in Wellesley, which claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, will not be criminally charged, the Boston Globe reports. According to the Globe, Wellesley Police and Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office sought indictment alleging motor vehicle homicide, but a grand jury chose not to indict.

The truck driver and his employer still face a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the cyclist’s family.

The accident occurred on August 24, 2012 when an 18-wheeler struck the cyclist while he was riding a bike near the intersection of Weston Road and Linden Street in Wellesley. According to police, the truck did not stop after the crash. Police found the driver two days later.

According to the trucker, he was driving the truck for his company at the time of the crash.

While the truck driver is not facing criminal charges, the victim’s family has filed a civil wrongful death suit against the driver and his company.

What is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?


In fatal accidents where the negligent actions of a driver cause serious or fatal injuries, the victim’s family has the right to pursue a civil personal injury claim or, in the case where the victim dies from his injuries, a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party, seeking damages.

Depending on the causes behind the accident, the victim’s family may be entitled to financial compensation.

If You Have Been Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident


If you have been injured in a Massachusetts car accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you will likely have a lot of questions regarding your rights and legal options.

To find out if you have a case, consult with a Boston wrongful death attorney about your loved one’s accident. Your attorney will examine all the details of your accident and advise you on the best course of legal action to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Call (888) 208-1695 to schedule your FREE consultation.