New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Mercedes-Benz Recalls Vehicles Over Cruise Control System Flaw

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling specific model year 2000-2002 M-Class and model year 2000-2004 M-Class AMG vehicles. According to the NHTSA vehicle recall alert, approximately 136,751 vehicles are being recalled because of a problem with cruise control that could lead to difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control, therefore, increasing the chances of a motor vehicle accident.

Mercedes-Benz discovered that under some circumstances, use of the brake pedal in affected vehicles may not automatically deactivate cruise control as anticipated by a motorist. Even though other ways of disengaging cruise control are completely functional, a driver may still experience problems reducing the speed of a vehicle. For example, the degree of force required to undo cruise control to reduce the speed of the car may have to be greater than a motorist expects.

The cruise control system in affected Mercedes-Benz vehicles permits drivers to undo the system by tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to get to a specific rate of deceleration. However, this may not be an easy process for all motorists and it may occur at a slower pace than is needed to avoid an accident or adhere to traffic laws and signage.

The vehicle safety recall will begin during September 2011 and dealers are expected to fix the vehicles at no cost to consumers.

Components that affect vehicle speed and control, such as cruise control and brake systems, are essential in ensuring motorist safety and preventing auto accidents. If these vehicle parts are flawed in any way, that increases the risk of an accident occurring or can limits a vehicle’s crashworthiness and vehicle occupants and others on the road can be in serious danger of suffering injury or death.

At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey defective car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to successfully handle auto product liability litigation. Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing and manufacturing vehicles that are safe for consumers and the driving public. If this duty is breached, and, innocent drivers and pedestrians are seriously injured or killed as a result, auto manufactures should be held accountable. Call our firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation about your potential claim.

May 2011 Volkswagen Recall to Affect New Jersey Jetta Owners

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the impending May recall of 2011 Volkswagen Jettas in early April. The reason for this recall is an electrical system malfunction, specifically concerning fuses and circuit breakers.

A potential 71,043 certain model 2011 Jettas, manufactured from March 2010 through March 2011, are being recalled by Volkswagen America, Inc. due to a faulty electrical wiring and fuse layout. The same fuse used by the signal horn and the anti-theft alarm system also protects the converter box; should that fuse be blown, the converter box will become disconnected from the power supply, thus jeopardizing various vehicle applications and motorist safety. Without an intact connection to the power supply, applications such as the engine management system, lighting system, and windshield wipers can be shut down.

The consequences of the affected Jetta’s vehicle applications shutting down can be potentially serious for New Jersey drivers. For example, if the malfunction occurs while the vehicle is being driven, the headlights or wipers may turn off, or the engine could stall, significantly increasing the risk of a sudden accident without warning. Similarly, if there is any effect on the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, especially when driving on icy or wet roads, a severe and unexpected New Jersey car crash can result.

It is the responsibility of auto manufacturers to ensure that their vehicles are designed and constructed to meet consumer safety standards. When a defective auto vehicle or component results in a New Jersey injury accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for the injuries and damages suffered. In such a case, due to the complex nature of auto product liability litigation, it would be beneficial for an injured consumer to contact an experienced New Jersey defective auto design injury lawyer.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident due to defective auto manufacturing or design, the attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can advise you on the merits of your potential claim and the best possible course of action for your situation. Call us at 973-635-5400 to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Over 44,000 Cadillac CTS Models Recalled due to Rear-Suspension Problem

According to The New York Times, General Motors Inc. has recalled about 44,000 model year 2009-2010 Cadillac CTS sedans.

The recall was prompted after it was discovered that the wax coating on the vehicle’s rear suspension toe link jam nuts may allow the nuts to loosen. If this occurred, it would cause a clanging sound; which if ignored or unnoticed could allow the vehicle’s rear wheel to turn either in or out. This could potentially cause a motorist to lose control when operating the vehicle and potentially cause an accident.

Owners of the recalled vehicles are advised to take the vehicle into a dealership, where the wax will be cleaned off of the rear suspension toe link. Two new jam nuts will also be installed to prohibit loosening, and if needed, the entire toe link will be replaced. To learn more about the recall, consumers are directed to contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463 or visit http://www.gmcownercenter.com.

Car manufacturers have a legal duty to design and construct vehicles that are safe for consumer use. When this responsibility is overlooked, whether intentionally or inadvertently, and a vehicle or vehicle part is defective or otherwise not fit for the purpose intended, the risk for serious injury to users escalates significantly.

Auto product liability litigation is complex, requiring attorneys with years of experience in establishing cases against automotive manufacturers and their subcontractors. If you have suffered an injury due to an auto design defect, contact the New Jersey auto product liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. We can help you in determining whether or not you may have a valid claim. Call 973-635-5400 to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Child Restraint Systems Recall Initiated by Dorel Juvenile Group

A National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety recall has been announced regarding certain infant, convertible and booster child restraint systems manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG). The recall includes products which were manufactured from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 and were sold both as standalone car seats and as part of a travel system (combined with a stroller). For a complete list of child restraint systems included in the recall, please refer to the NHTSA safety recall alert.

The DJG car seats are being recalled because the harness locking and release button does not consistently return to its locked position. If the button is not in the locked position, the harness can become loose, especially if the harness adjustment strap slips back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat. As a consequence of the child car seat failure, a child may not be properly protected in the event of a motor vehicle accident and can potentially suffer serious injury or death.

Registered owners of the defective car seats are expected to receive a free remedy kit, instructions, and a label to specify that the repair has taken place. Non-registered owners of the recalled child restraint systems can contact DJG at 1-866-623-3139 or by e-mail at harnessadjustment@djgusa.com. Owners can also contact the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safecar.gov for more information.

Car seat and child restraint system manufacturers are responsible for properly designing, testing, labeling and providing clear instructions for products which are safe, fit for the purpose intended and will not cause harm to consumers. If a manufacturer fails to fulfill these obligations and a consumer suffers injury or death as a result, the injured individual or the family members of the person killed may be able to seek compensation by pursuing a product liability action.

While safety recalls are initiated to help prevent injury or death, some product defects are discovered too late. Sometimes adequate notice of defective products are not timely provided to consumers. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a defective product, the New Jersey product defect attorneys at Blume Goldfaden can help. Our law firm is committed to helping those with meritorious product liability claims. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Ford Recalls 365,000 F-150 Trucks Due to Faulty Door Handles

Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall on 365,000 F-150 model pickup trucks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to faulty door handles, according to Auto-Types.com. The recall affects at least 281,000 2009 and 2010 model trucks in the U.S. that were manufactured between January 2008 and November 2009.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the door handles of the trucks may not perform properly in the event of a crash. Should impact occur, the door handles have a high likelihood of spring failure, which could cause the door to open. At the time the report was published, there had not been reports of accidents or injuries occurring due to the faulty door handles.

Replacement of the door handles will begin once replacement parts have arrived and will be done at no cost to the consumer. Ford is requesting that owners of F-150 model trucks, especially years 2009 and 2010, proceed to Ford or Lincoln dealership centers to have their vehicles assessed for the faulty door handles.

Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to the public to produce and sell cars and trucks that are safe for consumers and free of defects. However, when auto makers place profit over safety consumers are subject to hazards which may expose them to the risk of personal injury. Falling out, or being ejected from, a door that should not open in a crash is just an example. If you have been injured because of a defective auto part or a recalled vehicle, you may be able to pursue a New Jersey auto product liability claim.

At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey automotive product defect attorneys have the resources and experience to investigate potential claims surrounding automotive product defects. Contact us for a no-cost consultation at 973-635-5400.

Potential Risk of Electrical Short Leading to Fire Initiates Ford Vehicle Recall

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 19,600 2011 model year trucks and crossover SUVs due to the potential of an electric short that could result in a fire, according to a CNN article.

Ford’s recall of certain 2011 model year F-150 trucks, Super Duty trucks (F-250 through F-550) and Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles was initiated after fires began in the cabs of two F-150 trucks at a Michigan assembly plant late last year.

The defect was associated with a body control module manufactured by Lear Corp., which later discovered that an employee had failed to correctly clean a soldering machine over the course of six days in October. This increased the chances that modules manufactured during that time could have contaminants that could lead to internal shorts, overheating, and a vehicle fire. There are no known reports of fires associated with these recalled vehicles.

Approximately 14,730 of Ford’s recalled vehicles are in the United States and its territories. Most of the remaining vehicles are reported to be in Canada. Recall letters were to be sent by Ford to vehicles owners during the week of January 10, 2011.

Auto design defects have the potential to cause vehicle occupants harm or lead to accidents. While vehicle recalls may help to inform consumers about newly discovered vehicle defects, for some, the delivery of information to the public is often insufficient or not timely.

If you or a loved one were harmed as a result of an auto product defect, contact the New Jersey auto product liability lawyers at Blume Goldfaden to find out if you may have a valid claim. We can be reached at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Chrysler Recalls Thousands of Vehicles for Potential Steering, Stalling, and Airbag Problems

In three different campaigns, Chrysler is recalling about 145,000 trucks and crossover wagons over concerns of problems with steering, stalling, and airbag deployment.

CNN reports that there were 86 consumer reports of the need for tire rod replacements due to a ball stud at the end of a tire rod fracturing. Chrysler decided to recall 22,274 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks. The tire rod fracture could cause loss of steering capability. In addition, after consumers reported noticing illumination of their airbag warning lamps, the potential risk of side airbags failing to deploy in the event of a collision was discovered in about 65,180 2009 Dodge Journey crossover wagons manufactured between November 1, 2007, and September 7, 2008. Chrysler also detected that side-impact pressure sensor circuits in these vehicles could create a risk of air bags becoming fatigued or breaking.

The third Chrysler recall of 56,611 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks, for a rear axle bearing that could seize and lead to the vehicle stalling, was initiated after 20 reports of axle-bearing noise or failure.

As of now, no known reports of accidents or injuries have been connected to any of these recalled vehicles.

Motor vehicle manufacturers are responsible for designing, creating and distributing vehicles which are safe and free of defects or design shortcomings which could cause harm to vehicle occupants or bystanders. Over the years, the New Jersey auto design defect attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have successfully represented individuals who have been severely injured as a result of auto design defects. Contact our firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation of your potential auto product liability case.

Woman Killed in SUV New Jersey Rollover Accident

A 25-year-old woman from Commercial Township was killed in an SUV rollover accident according to NJ.com. The article reports that she was ejected from the SUV when it rolled over. The 23 year old driver of the 1994 Ford Explorer was traveling on Buckshutem Road near Dividing Creek Road when he lost control of the vehicle. The investigation into what caused the accident is still underway.

In addition to the woman who was fatally injured in the crash, the vehicle was transporting two children and a 29-year-old man as passengers. The woman was the only passenger ejected from the vehicle. The driver and other passengers suffered injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 10,000 people die in rollover accidents each year. Rollover accidents account for nearly 25 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States. Many of these rollovers involve SUVs or light pickup trucks, as these types of vehicles have a higher center of gravity and a narrower track width than a car, which makes them prone to rollovers. For more information, please click here for a 2002 report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding rollover accident fatalities.

SUV rollover accidents are different from other passenger vehicle accidents. When they occur, it is important to examine whether there were design or other defects that caused or contributed to the accident or the injuries. The New Jersey auto products liability lawyers of Blume Goldfaden have the experience and knowledge required to comprehensively investigate the potential claims involved, and, to pursue any valid and meritorious claims that might exist against vehicle manufacturers, designers and distributors.

If you have or a loved one has been harmed as a result of a SUV rollover accident, contact the New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation of your possible claim.

Airbag Defect Leads to Massive Chrysler Recall

In June, Chrysler will start fixing more than 355,000 minivans with flawed airbag sensors. Chrysler maintains that this is a “safety improvement campaign,” and, not a full-scale auto defect recall. The Associated Press reports however, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is closely monitoring the repairs, and, that they consider this to be a vehicle defect recall.

Chrysler claims that even with these defective airbags, their vehicles still meet the federal standard for safety. In addition, no personal injuries due to defective airbags have been reported at this time. According to Chrysler officials, the airbags in certain Chrysler minivans can fail to deploy if the sensor becomes cracked and subsequently wet.

A properly working airbag can greatly increase your chances of surviving a serious collision. Since airbags became mandatory in the mid 1990s, and as of 2006, approximately 18,000 lives were saved by use of an airbag. A faulty airbag, however, can be extremely dangerous. For instance, between 1990 and 2006, there were estimated to be 262 deaths due to malfunctioning or defective airbags.

If you were injured because of a defective airbag, or, as a result of another manufacturing or design defect in your vehicle, contact our New Jersey auto product defect lawyers at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400. We will evaluate whether there was any negligence, or product defects, that resulted in your auto accident injury, at absolutely no cost to you.

Massive Brake Pedal Recall for Nissan

According to a CBS news report, Nissan Motor Co. is ordering a worldwide recall to repair defective brake pedals and fuel gauges. A total of 540,000 trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles are expected to be affected by these recalls. The recalls involve 179,000 vehicles in the United States.

According to a company statement, certain Nissan vehicles have a defect in the brake pedal assembly where a pin may become loose, thus reducing braking force. Nissan claims that they have not received any reports of car accidents or personal injuries as a result of these auto product defects.

Any auto product defect that alters the effectiveness of brakes in a vehicle can pose a serious hazard to vehicle occupants, other motorists on the roadway, and pedestrians. Nissan is also issuing a larger recall to repair gas gauges that display gas present in the tank, when in fact, the fuel tank is empty. They plan on recalling 419,000 vehicles to fix this problem.

Reports indicate that the vehicles affected by the brake pedal recall include 2008 – 2010 Nissan Titan pickups, Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada SUVs, and some 2008 and 2009 Nissan Quest minivans. Vehicles affected by the gas gauge recall include 2005 – 2008 Nissan Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56s as well as Nissan Frontier pickups and Pathfinder and Xterra SUVs manufactured between January and March 2006, and between October 2007 and January 2008.

If you, or, a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey auto accident, and, believe that a defective auto part caused the incident, contact the experienced auto product liability New Jersey lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. Companies which design, manufacture and distribute defective vehicles and automotive components may be held liable for injuries or deaths caused by its products. Call us at 973-635-5400 to schedule a no-cost consultation of your potential automotive product liability claim.