Alabama SUV product liability

This Alabama product liability lawsuit involved a horrific crash that forever changed the life of a 28 year old Gasden woman. According to news reports, Latoya Ducket was a passenger in a Mercury Mountaineer manufactured by Ford Motor Company. As the SUV (sports utility vehicle) was traveling on Interstate 20, a car attempted to move into the SUV's lane – causing the SUV to swerve into the left lane. However, when the Mountaineer attempted to move back into the right lane, it flipped and rolled over 4 ½ times. Two people were killed in the accident and three others were injured – one of those being Ducket.

She suffered permanent brain injuries, her left arm is now paralyzed and she had to have her right leg amputated just below the knee. She hired an SUV accident lawyer and filed a product liability lawsuit against Ford alleging that the SUV was unstable and had a propensity to roll over due to defective design. A jury awarded her $8.5 million in damages.

Ford SUV rollover lawsuits

Ford has been a defendant in numerous SUV rollover lawsuits and has paid millions of dollars to those who have suffered SUV rollover injuries and those whose family members have been killed by SUV accidents. Here are two of the most recent SUV verdicts and settlements:

• $6.5 million Texas verdict. A disabled Texas oil field worker was awarded $6.5 million for injuries he sustained when the tire tread separated on his 1993 Ford Explorer, causing the vehicle to roll over. He was ejected from the vehicle, suffered severe brain damage and will need care for the rest of his life.
• $8 million New Jersey verdict. A 22 year old New Jersey man was awarded $8 million in a product liability design defect lawsuit against Ford Motor Company after the throttle on his Ford Explorer SUV became stuck and caused the vehicle to roll over. He lost most of the use of his right arm due to the accident.

If you've been injured in an SUV accident, contact an experienced product liability lawyer who understands why SUV manufacturers must make their vehicles safe with regard to crash worthiness, seatbelts, tires, roof structure, airbags and more. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.