South Carolina Vehicle Accident and Defective Equipment Lawyers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged Toyota to act quickly and correct a defect in their cars that have a sudden, uncontrolled acceleration problem. In response, Toyota has taken unprecedented measures by halting the sale and production of eight Toyota model cars while the company addresses this apparent product defect.

The action by the carmaker comes too late for some consumers. Reports indicate that at least 1,000 incidents of sudden acceleration in Toyota cars, resulting in 15 deaths, have been reported. In addition to pressure by the NHTSA, the United States House of Representatives has announced an investigation into the acceleration problem in Toyota vehicles.

If you or someone you care about has been seriously hurt in a South Carolina vehicle accident due to defective equipment, you are entitled to hold the company responsible in a court of law. The Louthian Law Firm can help you navigate South Carolina accident laws, deal with the insurance companies and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us toll-free at 1-866-410-5656 or use our online contact form.

According to information posted on Toyota's website, the problem with the vehicles is that "there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."

On January 21, 2010, Toyota announced a recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles equipped with a specific pedal assembly. The car manufacturer also suspended sales of eight models involved in the recall on January 26.

The models affected by the announcement are the 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, as well as certain 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia models.

If you experience sudden acceleration due to a defective gas pedal in a Toyota or any other vehicle, take the following steps to avoid a collision:

• Using both feet, use firm yet steady pressure to depress the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal.
• Shift the transmission into Neutral (N) position, and continue depressing the brakes while you pull off the road.
• Turn off the engine.
• Immediately contact your Toyota dealer.

Contact the Louthian Law Firm Today

We have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959, and we are committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won. Call us toll-free at 1-866-410-5656 in our Columbia, SC offices or contact us online for a free consultation.

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