Archives for October 2014

Despite ongoing efforts to better monitor and enforce recalls of defective vehicles or parts, a recent auto accident has revealed yet another unsafe product on the market, this time resulting in personal injuries from a faulty Takata airbag system.

After a fatal car accident claimed the life of a woman driving a Honda Accord, medical examinations revealed perplexing knife-like stab wounds to her neck. Closer investigation revealed that the wounds were actually caused by the explosion of the airbag due to a faulty propellant.

Safety experts have expressed concerns that more rupture cases are likely going unnoticed or underreported, though at least 2 other fatalities have been linked to the faulty airbag.

The resulting vehicle recall will affect more than 14 million defective vehicles containing faulty airbags that have been manufactured by Japanese auto supplier Takata

As the number of defective vehicles on the road seems to be increasing, it’s important for Rockville residents to be aware of your legal options when it comes to product liability claims.

As a personal injury lawyer, Mr. Plotnick understands the devastating consequences of car accidents and defective vehicles, and we want victims to have their interests rightfully represented. Keep in mind, in various instances of such defects the manufacturer knew of them but chose to cover them up or ignore a fix that would only cost a few dollars, all in the name of the bottom line.

While not every auto accident injury involving a defect results in a defective product claim, it’s important to contact a professional to assess your case to help you determine what action might be required.

If you or a loved one has suffered from personal injuries related to a defective vehicle, contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC at (301) 251-1286 today. Our Rockville personal injury lawyer has represented victims of defective vehicles throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Investigation is still underway to determine who is at fault for a fatal car accident in June involving a Walmart supply truck and well-known actor Tracy Morgan. The deadly crash, which left one dead and several others injured, occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike when a Walmart truck driver rear-ended Morgan’s vehicle while traveling 20 mph over the speed limit.

Morgan has since filed a lawsuit against Walmart citing negligence on behalf of the big box store for not complying with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations.

Morgan’s claim was made after evidence revealed the Walmart employee and driver of the truck, Kevin Roper, was speeding at 20mph over the limit and had not slept for more than 24 hours, a direct violation of safety regulations.

As of Tuesday, September 30th, Walmart has responded to Morgan’s claim with a request for a trial by jury, suggesting that the injuries caused in the car accident were actually a result of the plaintiffs’ failure to wear seatbelts. As a result, Walmart has also suggested that neither the company nor its employees should be held responsible for damages which were caused by third parties, however due to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation, Walmart did not directly address the claims regarding Roper.

This is a firm reminder that sometimes, even when you think you know who is at fault for your car accident and you assume you will simply get the damages you deserve, you still need to go through the legal process to do so, and it’s not always a straightforward affair.

If you have been injured in a car accident in the Rockville, Bethesda or greater Maryland area, contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick at (301) 251-1286 to schedule a consultation with our experienced car accident attorney.