Car Accident Settlement

Car accident settlements can be the result of any type of vehicle accident involving pedestrians, other vehicles, or property on a small or large scale. In 2000, a massive recall was ordered after the Ford/Firestone deadly rollover wrecks were linked to around 350 deaths and hundred of injuries. The number of car accident settlements in recent years seems to have increased in the wake of the Ford recall that drew lots of media attention.

In May 2004, Ford was the target of criticism yet again for failing to produce internal documents. Over the last several years, Ford has drawn fines and sanctions from courts because of product liability lawsuits and car accident settlements. Ford has been compared to tobacco companies and asbestos producers for concealing studies on dangers for decades. According to critics, the failure to produce internal documents is concealed only during litigation and car accident settlements when the company is forced to.

After the Ford/ Firestone tire recall was issued, Congress had passed the Transportation, Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act requiring new standards as a high amount of car accident settlements were being pursued. By March 2004 the Public Citizen consumer group alongside the Center for Auto Safety filed a lawsuit against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because of its allowance for motor vehicle manufacturers ability to limit certain safety recalls to vehicles sold or registered in select states.

When the Ford/ Firestone debacle occurred, the high death toll and delay in issuing a recall resulting in the car accident settlements and lawsuits was believed by some to be a way to increase auto safety. Ford''s growing list of sanctions may only serve to increase the amount of liability and future car accident settlements. Information that has been made public in trial can allow for plaintiffs to force the automaker to produce evidence in even more product liability cases.

Even though the focus has been more heavily weighed on Ford, a lot of large companies have been shown to fight off plaintiff attempts to uncover company documents. The Ford exposure is not the first, or the last company that has or is trying to keep documents under the radar that can lead to a high number of lawsuits or car accident settlements. Public Citizen''s Auto Safety Group has been working to improve highway safety by lobbying Congress to pass critical legislation. When deemed necessary, the advocacy group will seek legal action in hopes of forcing government action in the absence of any appropriate measures.

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Car Accident Settlement

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"Vermont Auto Accident Victim Awarded"

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