Former Lawyer for Toyota Alleges that Toyota Concealed Evidence in Rollover Cases

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.

Holiday Travel Increases Likelihood of Road Collisions

The Fourth of July is a major cause for celebration in the United States of America. Unfortunately, festive holidays can also turn into days of tragedy for some. The increase in traffic combined with hurried, distracted drivers can often create disastrous results. Adding alcohol into the mix, which is a common feature of holiday celebrations, can cause these situations to turn deadly.

This recent July 4th weekend saw hundreds of accidents on the roads, resulting in dozens of fatalities. Speed and alcohol were contributing factors in a majority of accidents, and the lack of seatbelts was present in many of the fatalities.

Massachusetts saw eight dead over the weekend in multiple single-car incidents and one four-car collision. In one single-car accident, three out of four occupants of the vehicle perished. None of the riders were wearing seat belts. In Connecticut, the nation’s third smallest state, there were over 160 accidents over the holiday weekend. Police were out in full force attempting to stop unsafe driving before any catastrophic results, and police there issued over 2,300 speeding tickets, more than 350 tickets for not wearing seat belts, and made 46 DUI arrests. Six people died on New Jersey roadways during the weekend, and one person died on the open roads of Kansas. In Los Angeles, police made nearly 100 DUI arrests in the first twelve hours of the public holiday. These scenes were repeated across the country in nearly every jurisdiction.

Even when not compounded by a national holiday, summertime driving leads to crowded and dangerous conditions. Higher temperatures lead to increased probability of tire failures and other mechanical breakdowns. Popular vacation spots lead to crowded streets and highways, especially in the evening, when everyone is tired and trying to get home at once. The addition of alcohol to summertime celebrating always increases dangers on the road.

Please be alert to the dangers posed and stay safe, whether you are vacationing yourself or merely encountering increased traffic congestion and unsafe driving on your daily commute. While not all factors which contribute to accidents are within your control, you can greatly increase your personal safety with alert and defensive driving.

The tragedy of a holiday celebration cut short by a serious accident is keenly felt by victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious automobile accident, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. You may also contact me for immediate aid and support.