According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, a former managing counsel for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Dimitrios P. Biller, filed a lawsuit in federal court against Toyota, alleging that the company withheld evidence from victims who were involved in rollover accidents that caused injuries and deaths. Biller alleged that this practice had been going on for years and that he was forced to illegally withhold this information from opposing counsel. Biller further argued that he was forced to resign as a result of his reluctance to withhold critical information.
Potentially, if Biller's accusations are found to be true, this could have devastating consequences for Toyota. Legal experts have stated that Biller's lawsuit has the potential of reopening rollover accident cases that the company had won or settled for the past twenty years.
Specifically, the cases that may be affected by Biller's lawsuit involved victims who were seriously injured or died due to roofs collapsing or caving in during rollover accidents. These victims filed lawsuits against Toyota, arguing that their injuries and the loss of their loved ones were due to Toyota's weakened roofs.
Biller, who worked for Toyota from 2003 to 2007, was responsible for defending the company against victims involved in sport utility vehicle and truck rollover accidents. Biller claims that he had to continually conceal information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so that Toyota could demonstrate that it was complying with federal laws regarding roof strength.
Toyota's position is that Biller's claims are inaccurate and misleading, and that Biller was retaliating against the company for having to resign. Toyota asserts that the company complied with regulations, and that Biller was obligated to keep company information confidential as a part of his severance agreement with Toyota.
Rollover Accidents
Vehicle rollover accidents are extremely serious, causing catastrophic injuries and numerous fatalities. Victims can suffer major injuries, including brain injuries, spinal injuries, and fractures. A variety of factors can cause rollover accidents such as:
- Type of vehicle, particularly those with a high center of gravity
- Carelessness of other drivers
- Poorly maintained road conditions or poor weather
- Poorly designed vehicle component parts, such as roofs
- Missing vehicle component parts, such as airbags
- Malfunctioning equipment, such as brakes
With respect to Biller's allegations against Toyota, vehicle manufacturers are generally supposed to design and manufacture roofs that can withstand the pressure of a rollover accident. When a vehicle's roof cannot withstand such pressure, drivers and passengers can suffer serious, life-threatening injuries.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a vehicle rollover crash and you suspect that negligence was involved, seek experienced and professional legal counsel immediately to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact the Law Office of James R. Gillen today for a consultation.
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