Many families in Missouri and elsewhere around the country own minivans. They are used daily for a variety of activities and are generally viewed as a safe mode of transportation. Despite their overall safety records, problems can still arise with these vehicles. Unfortunately, one apparent design flaw in a Honda minivan caused severe injuries to a woman in another state in 2015. The woman was recently awarded over $37 million by a jury in a personal injury lawsuit she had filed against the automobile company.
A 27-year-old woman was riding in a Honda Odyssey when it was struck by a pickup truck. The woman, a passenger in the middle seat of the third row, was seriously injured when the van flipped and rolled over. Her neck was broken in the incident, and she is now a quadriplegic. She filed the lawsuit against Honda, claiming that her seat belt’s design for that middle seat was defective.
The complaint stated that it was not inherently clear how the seat belt was to be used. This claim was corroborated through independent testing data provided to the jury. It showed that less than 10 percent of the seat belt’s users were able to wear them correctly the first time they encountered them. Testing also revealed that the improper use of the seat belt proved to be worse than not wearing one.
When serious injuries occur due to a company’s faulty products or other negligent behaviors, victims may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. A knowledgeable Missouri lawyer can help families navigate the complexities of the legal process. A successful outcome in a lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, ongoing therapy and household renovations to accommodate a disability. Other damages may also be awarded for loss of injury, pain and suffering.
