by Bob Walsh
Back
in 2015, a four-year old girl died in a traffic accident on the freeway
in Phoenix, AZ. Automatic braking systems were available at the time
but were a fairly expensive ($10,000) option and not standard
equipment. They were not required by the feds. The Arizona Supreme
Court has just ruled the girl's family can sue Jeep for failing to
install the equipment, even though they were under no obligation to do
so, as the equipment, had it been present, might have prevented the
accident and thereby saved the girl's life. The lawsuit asserts that
this safety system can prevent about 60% of rear-end collisions.
I
must admit I have a problem with this decision. Dead children are a
horrible thing. It is terrible that this happened. A sympathy verdict
is completely possible. I am not sure it is justified. It is of course
possible that FIAT-JEEP will appeal to SCOTUS. If not, the matter will
proceed to trial.
1 comment:
That's a real shame. But I cannot imagine a jury finding in favor of the plaintiff. I mean...if this was merely an available option then...the buyers had the opportunity to purchase it themselves.
Post a Comment