A Series of Recalls
Millions of Toyota vehicles of all makes and sizes have been recalled in recent months for acceleration-related issues caused either by ill-fitting floor mats or defectively designed gas pedals and acceleration systems. Affected models include its flagship sedan, the Camry (one of the best selling cars in America), as well as the Avalon, Corolla, Matrix and Prius (perhaps the most popular gas/electric hybrid in the world). Virtually no make, size or style escaped unscathed - recalls were also issued for SUVs like the Highlander and RAV4, and for wagons like the Matrix (also sold by GM as the Pontiac Vibe) and Venza. Similar problems were reported in pickups like the Sequoia and Tundra.
Allegations have been raised that these defects have caused at least 52 deaths and countless accidents since the year 2000. While Toyota is still reeling financially from the recalls and resulting negative press, the federal government has proposed several possible methods to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, ranging from more corporate transparency to requiring all cars to have certain "fail-safes" to prevent mechanical failures.
An Old Solution, A New Use
Obviously, a vehicle must stop properly when the brakes are depressed. To ensure that sudden acceleration does not result from faulty mechanical or electrical system components, some high-ranking government officials think that requiring automakers to immediately begin installing a brake override system using a so-called "smart pedal" would be a huge step in the right direction.
These braking systems are already a vital part of many of the vehicles manufactured by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Chrysler and Volkswagen. A brake override system forces the brake and gas pedals to work in tandem to bring the vehicle to a stop - once the brake has been depressed, the gas pedal will be deactivated, effectively halting the forward motion of the vehicle - even if the gas pedal is pressed all the way to the floor and the throttle is stuck wide-open.
Have You Experienced Sudden Acceleration?
If you are one of the countless owners of Toyota or Lexus (sharing similar mechanical components as some Toyota models) vehicles affected by current recalls or you have experienced sudden, involuntary acceleration of your car, it is important to know your rights. An attorney well versed in the laws and regulations affecting motor vehicles, and in the personal injuries caused by them, can answer your questions and address your concerns.
