Japanese automaker Toyota Corp. has been ordered to pay a $1.2 billion fine for knowingly concealing information about sudden acceleration problems in many of its vehicles. U.S. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder issued a statement that said "Toyota intentionally concealed information" and misled the public about the danger that some Toyota and Lexus models might suddenly accelerate and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Saying that the automaker had deliberately avoided taking responsibility after customers began complaining about the problems in 2009, Holder went on to say that the fine is "the largest criminal penalty imposed on a car company in the history of the United States," and that the record fine is merited by "shameful" conduct on the company’s part.
Holder said that Toyota had regarded a serious a public safety issue "as if it were a public relations problem" and tried to cover up the potential problems to protect market share and the company’s reputation for safety and reliability.
"Rather than promptly disclosing and correcting safety issues about which they were aware, Toyota made misleading public statements to consumers and gave inaccurate facts to members of Congress," Holder said. "And they concealed from federal regulators the extent of problems that some consumers encountered with sticking gas pedals and unsecured or incompatible floor mats that could cause these unintended acceleration episodes."
Holder also said that car companies have a duty to tell customers about safety problems and correct them as quickly as possible. "Toyota violated this basic compact," he said.
Orlando Toyota recall accident attorney James O. Cunningham is relieved to hear that the automaker is being forced to acknowledge that they basically lied to millions of customers that there was a sudden acceleration problem in many of its models but wishes that the company had come clean years ago when given the chance. If they had, many lives could have been saved and hundreds, if not thousands, of people would not have been injured in accidents caused by sticking accelerators.
If you believe that you were injured due to a defective product and you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury lawyer, call Mr. Cunningham today at 888-FLA-AUTO (888-352-2886) and schedule a free consultation. He has been helping injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve since 1977 and has a proven record of success in product liability cases.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call toll-free at 1-888-FLA-Auto (1-888-352-2886).
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