On behalf of Ball & Evans & Ball & Evans posted in Auto-Product Liability on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Los Angeles is home to millions of drivers. Each day, many people depend on their vehicles to get to work. Several of these drivers depend on their Jeeps to get them from point A to point B. Due to their versatility and off road advantage, many residents enjoy driving them through rough terrain. The classic four-wheel drive option has allowed countless drivers to venture to the wild side of the road, taking on dangerous terrain. However, after a recent product recall, Jeep owners could potentially face additional dangers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demanded that Chrysler recall 2.7 million Jeeps, due to an increased risk of catching fire from a rear-end collision. The NHTSA suggested a product recall to the automaker after at least 51 people passed away from a fiery death associated with Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty models. The problem is believed to be caused by a plastic gas tank, located in the rear axle of the vehicles. When hit from behind in a rear-end collision, the gas tank is likely to rupture, spilling flammable fluids. Once ignited, those fluids can potentially cause an explosion or fire. Chrysler has denied these accusations, claiming that the NHTSA has inconclusive evidence of such an occurrence. They claim their Jeeps are one of the safer models they offer. It is often rare that a company refuses a recommendation of recall from the NHTSA. In the letter to Chrysler, the NHTSA requested that all Grand Cherokee models from 1993 to 2004 and Liberty models from 2002 through 2007 be recalled. As of now, the automaker is standing their ground, but could face additional product liability in the future. Los Angeles residents who have suffered a serious injury from any of the models listed above may find they are eligible for compensation for their injuries. Companies have a duty to protect their customers from their defective products. The legal system has remedies to help the victims of negligent companies recover the compensation they need to help in the healing process. Source: FOX News, “Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall,” June 18, 2013.