When a Philadelphia car accident occurs that results in personal injuries, investigators first consider human error and roadway conditions, the two most common causes of car crashes. Vehicle failure is a less obvious cause of car and truck accidents and is often considered an anomaly until the same incident begins to show up repeatedly in police or insurance records. Often, it is careful investigation and legal prosecution by an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney that first reveals a connection between a design or manufacturing defect and a rising accident rate.
Defective designs have recently forced Toyota to issue three recalls that have affected many Philadelphia Toyota owners (see our previous post). At least 29 personal injury law suits centered on car accident, defective product, negligence or product liability claims have already been filed against the auto maker in the U.S. and Canada. Some U.S. personal injury attorneys have filed class action suits. Class action lawsuits are filed on behalf of a group of people who share the same grievance, allowing the group to bring the claim to court collectively.
Philadelphia residents who agree to participate in a class action suit against Toyota should realize that in doing so they give up their individual rights to pursue litigation in the matter. In class action law suits, judgment of a single case determines the claims, rights and remuneration for the enter group. Personal injury attorneys recoup their fees and expenses from any settlement which is then split between all parties to the suit. The greater the number of people involved in the suit, the smaller the individual payout. Should the judgment go against the defendants, some individuals who may have suffered greater loss than the majority also lose their right to sue.
Before deciding whether or not to join a class action lawsuit, Philadelphia Toyota owners should contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation.
