(12PressRelease.com) Amid continuing automobile recalls for safety concerns, a consumer group led by long-time advocate Ralph Nader recently urged Congressional Democrats to pass the stalled auto safety bill. With over six million automobiles on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) list of automobile recalls, the need for new regulations is acute.
New York City personal injury attorney Paul Dansker, partner at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates, said that consumer action in conjunction with personal injury legal representation not only compensates those who are injured but also pushes manufacturers to improve product safety.
“Many safety improvements in cars, including laws requiring auto manufacturers to install shatterproof glass, seat belts and airbags in their new vehicles, were prompted by consumers, advocates and attorneys who put pressure on the manufacturers through litigation which threatened company pocketbooks,†said Dansker. “Sadly, though, recalls often come too late for drivers and passengers riding in defective automobiles.â€
Paul Dansker recently became involved in a case (550/10, Supreme Court Queens County) involving the now well-publicized Toyota acceleration defect. A Toyota SUV accelerated suddenly on a major highway and would not respond to braking. When the driver drove the car into a tree to stop it, all three occupants of the car sustained serious spine, bone and internal organ injuries. The incident occurred well before Toyota issued its recall in the late 2009.
At first, Dansker & Aspromonte were somewhat skeptical that this was a defective condition and not driver error. However, research in legal databases demonstrated “a disturbing pattern of cases nationwide of sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles,†said Dansker. “Once we confirmed that there was a legitimate manufacturing problem, we enlisted the services of specialized engineers to provide the necessary expertise and testing to prove a case against a giant corporate entity like Toyota.â€
“Consumers who believe that they have been hurt by a faulty product should consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate the case based upon professional knowledge and access to specialized information. Personal injury attorneys typically do not charge a fee for an initial consultation to determine if a case is viable,†he added.
Dansker advises vehicle owners to check the NHTSA on a regular basis, to stay in contact with local dealerships for information on auto recalls, and to advocate to politicians for legislation that helps keep drivers and their passengers safe.
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