Austin Accident Lawyer Don Cotton Says NHTSA Right to Apply Evolving Safety Standards When Considering Recalls of Vehicles That Met Federal Regulations
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) July 26, 2013 -- Don R. Cotton, a Texas personal injury lawyer, today voiced support for NHTSA Chief David Strickland’s statement that the federal agency will judge cars and trucks by the state of the art in the industry when considering safety recalls, regardless of whether the products or designs in question met federal safety standards when they were produced.
Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), told Automotive News that automakers’ products must adhere not only to federal safety standards when the vehicles are built, but also to the developments in improved automotive design and technology at that time.
“It’s appropriate for NHTSA to consider the current identifiable risk a potential auto defect poses instead of how an automotive design was viewed when it first came on the market,” said Cotton, an attorney with The Bob Richardson Law Firm in Austin and Waco.
“Our understanding of safety engineering doesn’t stand still, and neither should regulators’ opinion of what constitutes an unreasonable risk when it comes to dangers in cars sold to American consumers,” he said.
Strickland told Automotive News that “unreasonable risk” is the standard when NHTSA considers recalls, and that it is an “evolving notion.” The July 15 article was titled “NHTSA vows aggressive stance on recalls.”
NHTSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that investigates safety defects in motor vehicles as part of its responsibility for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.
Strickland’s statement came in the wake of a dispute between NHTSA and Chrysler over gas tanks in certain Jeeps that met federal safety standards when they were produced but were allegedly less safe than designs used by other manufacturers at the time.
In June, NHTSA ordered a recall of 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty SUVs, a total of 2.7 million vehicles.
The Bob Richardson Law Firm investigates car, truck and motorcycle accidents in the Austin and Waco areas in the preparation of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for individuals hurt in crashes. While most such lawsuits are based on driver negligence, Cotton said some investigations find that a defective automotive product played a role in the wreck or in the extent of the victims’ injuries.
Cotton cautioned that vehicles or their components do not have to be the subject of a recall for them to be found legally defective and their manufacturers held liable in a product liability lawsuit.
“That’s why it’s so important for a car crash victim to consult with someone who is experienced in accident investigations and who can protect the injured party’s interests,” Cotton said.
“A skilled car accident lawyer and the investigators that a firm like The Bob Richardson Law Firm employs can identify the cause of a crash and determine whether an individual, a manufacturer or some other organization ultimately bears responsibility for the accident victim’s injuries and other losses,” the veteran attorney said.
About The Bob Richardson Law Firm
The Bob Richardson Law Firm is a highly respected Texas law firm that assists clients with personal injury lawsuits as well as veteran’s benefits claims and claims for Social Security disability benefits. Our experienced attorneys handle cases involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, workplace accidents and slip-and-fall accidents, as well claims for VA disability compensation, SSDI benefits and SSI benefits. The firm staffs offices in Austin and Waco and assists clients throughout surrounding Texas communities. The firm’s principal office is located at 812 San Antonio St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78701 (local phone (512) 472-5100). To learn more about The Bob Richardson Law Firm, call (800) 880-5100 or fill out the firm’s online contact form.
Don R. Cotton, The Bob Richardson Law Firm, http://www.bobrichardsonlawfirm.com/, (512) 472-5100, [email protected]
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