NJ product liability lawsuit

The New Jersey product liability lawsuit centers on whether Ford's Explorer SUV (sport utility vehicle) was defectively designed. According to court records, Patricio and Laura Paredes purchased a 2000 Ford Explorer in the summer of 2001. In late August of 2001, they were driving on Route 78 in New Jersey and engaged in "emergency maneuvers" to avoid colliding with another vehicle.

Their vehicle rolled over and Patricio suffered multiple skull fractures, respiratory failure and traumatic brain injuries. They sued Ford alleging that the vehicle was defectively designed. Although a trial court ruled for Ford, an appellate court reversed the decision and remanded the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.

Ford says SUV accident was driver error

Because neither of the Parades could remember what happened specifically, accident reconstruction experts were brought in to testify on the possible reasons for the rollover. Ford contends that the accident was not due to a defectively designed vehicle, but that Patricio Paredes overcompensated while trying to avoid the collision. Paredes' lawyer says that, even if he had overcompensated, Ford's design of the SUV was defective in that the center of gravity was too high and that the wheelbase was too narrow - increasing the possibility of a rollover.

Similar Ford Explorer lawsuits

Ford's Explorer SUV was introduced in 1990 and litigation against it due to defective design seems to have been ongoing ever since. The vehicle has been linked to hundreds of injuries and deaths and the company has paid millions, if not billions, of dollars to victims. If you've been injured due to a Ford Explorer or other product, contact an experienced SUV rollover attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options. Consultations with a lawyer are free of charge, without obligation and are strictly confidential.