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Motor Vehicle
Local authorities are often quick to blame the driver in motor
vehicle accidents. However, when we conduct more thorough investigations
of vehicle accidents and rollovers, it is frequently shown that
the driver lost control of the vehicle through circumstances outside
of their control.
Many motor vehicle accidents are caused by improper
tire selection, improper tire placement, defective suspension or
defective steering systems, or poor road
design.
O'Reilly & Danko is uniquely positioned to properly investigate these
accidents, based on our long experience with such cases and the relationships
we have developed with exceptionally qualified investigators. Our access to sophisticated
expert analysis across a wide range of technical disciplines permits us a complete
understanding
of the details of an accident, previously explored and unexplored.
| Doe
Plaintiffs vs. General Motors Settlement: $10,000,000 Alameda County Superior Court January 19, 2001 Defective Tire |
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| On July 10, 1998, Doe Plaintiffs†, a couple and their two youngest daughters ages 15 and 11, were enroute to Kansas for a family reunion. The family was driving in a 1993 Chevy Astro Van on Highway 80 east of Elko, Nevada when they encountered a summer thunderstorm. As a result of what was later found to be improper tire placement, the driver lost control of the vehicle on the slippery road and rolled it over. The three passengers suffered varying degrees of trauma, including the expulsion of one of the rear passengers from the vehicle, causing her to become paralyzed. The driver died at the scene of the accident. | ||
| Doe Plaintiffs had been diligent in the maintenance of their vehicle. In preparation for the trip, they had two new Michelin tires installed on May 19, 1998. Michelin America Small Tire" ("MAST") Fitment Guide required that, “… two new replacement tires should be installed on the rear axle.” However, on the Plaintiffs' vehicle the new tires were installed on the front axle, contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations; the vehicle's instability on wet roads was a direct result of this configuration. The Plaintiffs had also taken the vehicle to Crown Chevrolet - where they purchased the vehicle - and Seever & Sons before the trip, neither of whom detected the tire misplacement or were even aware of the manufacturer's recommendations. | ||
| † Client requests name to be kept private. | ||