Recently, a copy of an internal Toyota presentation was recently obtained by the Free Press. In that same document, it was disclosed that “…Toyota officials boasted that limits on a 2007 recall of floor mats was a $100-million “win” for the company.”

During his testimony before a congressional committee Wednesday, Inaba said he did not recall the July 2009 meeting at which he received the presentation, but that the claim of saving $100 million by limiting the 2007 recall to floor mats was inconsistent with Toyota’s principles.

So far, Toyota has recalled about 8.5 million vehicles, 6 million of those being in the US.

To cope with falling sales following the recalls, Toyota said in late January it would halt production temporarily in San Antonio, Texas, and Georgetown, Kentucky, in March and April.

The Kentucky plant, which makes the Camry, Avalon and Venza vehicles, also plans to take a non-production day on Feb. 26. The Texas plant makes the Tundra pickup truck.

Toyota already halted production of eight models covered by the U.S. recall for five days in early February at four plants in the U.S. and one in Canada.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
1. http://www.freep.com/article/20100226/BUSINESS01/2260434/1322/Toyota-exec-told-of-harder-recall-stance
2. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E3KFOO0.htm

On Tuesday, February 22, 2010, Toyota announced that it will begin to install a brake override system on many Toyota vehicles, including those that were not originally on the list of recalled vehicles. Toyota hopes that this will give consumers “an additional measure of confidence.”

This braking system enhancement will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.

The following year models have been added to the list of vehicles which will receive brake override upgrade: 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2009-2010 Venza and 2008-2010 Sequoia. Toyota previously announced that the system would be installed onto the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, and the 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350, 2006-2010 IS 350 and 2006-2010 IS 250 models.

The brake override system is not an integral part of the recall remedy, but is instead being added as an extra measure of confidence for Toyota owners. It will be installed on Tacoma and Venza at the same time as the recall modifications are performed.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota-extends-brake-override-154194.aspx?link_page_rss=154194&siteid=DMG_rss_201002_RLA_explan_toynew_Toyota+Extends+Brake+Override+Feature+to+Provide+an+Additional+Measure+of+Customer+Confidence

RAY v. ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE

The following is a description of a personal injury case we have filed. This is a case involving a personal injury onboard the Viking Serenade, a cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line created a dangerous condition on its ship, a large puddle of water or other liquid located inside the Windjammer Café, and allowed the dangerous condition to exist without cleaning and drying it for an unreasonable amount of time such that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line knew or should have known of the existence of the puddle. Royal Caribbean had the time and opportunity to clean and dry the puddle and failed to clean and dry the puddle, thereby causing an accident in which our client, Ms. Ray, slipped and fell and was severely injured.

As of the date of the accident, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line managed and were responsible for the cleaning, maintenance, design, safety, construction, and repair of the premises on which the accident occurred. As such, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line owed a duty to Ms. Ray and others to provide reasonably safe premises and to maintain the subject premises in a reasonably safe condition.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

On February 16, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that it was using its authority to make sure that Toyota announced their recall in a timely manner.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced that it is using its statutory authority to obtain documents from Toyota to determine if the automaker conducted three of its recent recalls in a timely manner. Federal law requires all auto manufacturers to notify NHTSA within five days of determining that a safety defect exists and promptly conduct a recall.

“Safety recalls are very serious matters and automakers are required to quickly report defects,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The auto safety agency is requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately 6 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. The probe will examine how the manufacturer learned of these defects, such as through consumer complaints or factory testing. Investigators are also looking into whether Toyota discovered the problems during pre-production or post-production of the affected vehicles.

Officials are checking whether Toyota has covered all affected models in its recent recalls to ensure Toyota did not miss any problems. The agency will obtain information on production data, incidents, complaints, warranty complaints, copies of tests, dates of meetings, timelines, and supplier information.

The three recalls in question involve various Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Two of the recalls are related to the entrapment of gas pedals by floor mats. The first recall was announced on September 26, 2007, and was followed by a subsequent one on October 6, 2009. The October recall was expanded on January 29, 2010, to include additional vehicles. The third recall, involving sticking gas pedals, was announced on January 21, 2010.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=dca8c2f7881d6210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010

On February 10, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced to the public that they are continuing their investigation of recalled Toyota vehicles. The NHTSA also wants to make sure the public is aware of the following issues:

Gas Pedal Entrapment by Floor Mats
Drivers should immediately take out the driver-side floor mat of the following Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac vehicles:
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2007-2010 ES 350
• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
• 2008-2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Venza
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

After removing the driver-side floor mats, consumers should wait for a letter from Toyota instructing them to go to their dealers for the remedy. More than four million vehicles have been recalled for this safety issue.

Sticky Gas Pedals
Some 2.3 million Toyota vehicles are being recalled for problems involving gas pedals that are hard to depress, slow to return to the closed position or remain partially depressed. Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac vehicles affected by the sticky pedal recall are:
• 2007-2008 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2010 Highlander
• 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

If drivers are experiencing any unusual issues involving the gas pedals in the above-identified vehicles, drivers should immediately park these vehicles and notify their dealers immediately. Should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.

Brake Issues involving Prius and Camry Vehicles
Toyota is also recalling 2010 Prius Hybrids and Lexus HS 250h vehicles for braking safety issues involving momentary loss of braking power. Some 2010 Camrys prone to brake fluid leaks are also been recalled. Drivers of these vehicles experiencing any braking problems should park their cars and contact their their local Toyota dealer or Toyota’s North American headquarters at 1-800-331-4331.

Actions Consumers Can Take If They Cannot Stop Their Vehicles
Regardless of the cause, if a consumer is experiencing unintended acceleration in their vehicle, they should take the following steps:
• Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal.
• Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading).
• Steer to a safe location.
• Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).
• Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle. Do not drive it.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=bdab8d2dd68b6210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010

On Tuesday, February 9, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the third Toyota recall involving 2010 Prius hybrids, Lexus HS 250h, and 2010 Camry vehicles.

“Last Thursday, NHTSA opened a formal investigation of 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in response to consumer complaints about braking difficulties, and today, Toyota has acknowledged a safety defect,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “When I spoke with Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, he assured me that his company takes U.S. safety concerns very seriously. The U.S. DOT will remain in constant communication with Toyota to hold them to that promise. In the meantime, if you are concerned about your car’s braking performance, contact your Toyota dealer.”

The main issue with 2010 Prius vehicles is the potential for brief loss of breaking capability, especially when the car drives over a bump, pothole, or uneven road surface.

NHTSA recommends that owners contact Toyota dealers immediately if they notice changes in their braking performance.

Loss of braking is most likely to occur when traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. If this occurs, the agency advises owners to continue to firmly press on the brake to stop the vehicle. As an extra precaution, drivers can leave extra stopping distance while awaiting their recall notice.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=c1d264146b1a6210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010

On February 8, 2010, Toyota announced that it will conduct yet another recall – this time to update the anti-lock brake (ABS) software on its 2010 Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h vehicles. Approximately 133,000 2010 Prius cars and approximately 14,500 2010 Lexus HS 250h vehicles will be affected and updated.

The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.

Four cases involving recalled Toyota vehicles have been filed in Florida but more than a dozen have been filed nationally. With over 2.3 millions Toyota vehicles recalled so far, more lawsuits are sure to follow. If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota-2010-prius-abs-recall-153614.aspx

Pacenti, John. “Lawsuit Onslaught Begins.” Daily Business Review. 9 February 2010: A1, A3.

As of February 5, 2010, Toyota announced that they have halted production on their vehicles affected by the recall.

Those vehicles include the 2005-2010 Avalon, 2009-2010 RAV4, 2007-2010 Camry, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2009-2010 VENZA, and the 2004-2009 Prius.

Toyota also stated that they were taking other steps to correct some of the problems their vehicles have caused the public.

We’re starting to send letters this weekend to owners involved in the recall to schedule an appointment at their dealer.

Dealerships have extended their hours – some of them working 24/7 – to fix your vehicle as quickly as possible.

Trained technicians have begun making repairs.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

Call us today. All consultations are free and strictly confidential. TOLL FREE: 1.800.215.7117. See our website for information on what to do in the event of an accident involving serious injuries or death: www.hickeylawfirm.com. See also www.cruiseshipassault.com. The bottom line is get medical care immediately, take photos of the area where you were injured, get the names and contact information of witnesses, and report the accident at once. Also, CALL HICKEY LAW FIRM, P.A., TOLL FREE AT: 1.800.215.7117. Our consultations are always free. We work on a contingency fee basis; If we don’t recover, you don’t pay. Personal injury, wrongful death, sexual assaults, and medical malpractice. We have handled these types of claims for 28 years.

Hickey Law Firm, P.A. is headed up by John H. (Jack) Hickey. Hickey was born and raised in Miami, Florida. For the first 17 years of his career, Hickey represented the railroads, cruise lines, and insurance companies. Now he represents you, the seriously injured, the family of a loved one who has died as a result of someone else’s negligence, the victim of a sexual assault, or the victim of medical malpractice.

Hickey testified before Congress on crime and security onboard cruise ships, and on claims against cruise lines. Hickey is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a Past President of the Dade County Bar Association. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar. Hickey has been named by his peers as a “SUPERLAWYER” in the Superlawyer.com publication (the top 5% of all lawyers); as a “Top Lawyer in South Florida” in the areas of personal injury and maritime in the South Florida Legal Guide (2004 to present); and as a “Legal Elite” member in Florida Trend Magazine (2006) (top 1.7% of all lawyers). He is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders in America. Hickey is rated A/V by Martindale Hubbell, the international directory of lawyers, a rating achieved by only 5% of all attorneys.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.toyota.com/recall/

On Thursday, February 04, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that there will be a formal investigation of the 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) … announced that it is opening a formal investigation of the Toyota Prius Hybrid model year 2010 to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump.

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports alleging that crashes occurred. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently has three open defect investigations involving Toyota. It is not clear yet how many people have been affected and/or injured because of the malfunctions in Toyota cars and trucks.

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=b01559c725096210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010

Recently, Toyota announced that many of their vehicles were being recalled due to a product malfunction that causes the car or truck to unintentionally speed up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently made the following statement regarding this recall.

NHTSA today informed owners of certain Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac Vibe vehicles about actions they should take if the accelerator gets stuck or is slow to return under certain conditions. Today’s advisory is prompted by continued reports of consumer concern and confusion about two recalls Toyota announced over the past week involving accelerator pedals. Each recall has a different root cause – pedal entrapment and sticky pedal. In October, Toyota recalled 3.8 million vehicles for accelerator pedal entrapment by the floor mat. Toyota has begun to notify owners of the availability of a remedy for this entrapment recall. The accelerator pedal will be reconfigured by dealers. Then, in January 2010, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles for a problem internal to the accelerator pedal that causes it to be harder to depress, slower to return to the closed position or get stuck in some partially depressed position. Some of the vehicles included in this recall are also included in the pedal entrapment recall.

The two Toyota recalls involve floor mat entrapment and pedal malfunctions. Toyota describes the two malfunctions as the following:

The first recall, “Floor Mat Entrapment,” regards the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide-open position.

The second recall, “Pedal,” is being conducted because there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

Toyota vehicles involved in the recall include the 2005-2010 Avalon, 2009-2010 RAV4, 2007-2010 Camry, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2009-2010 VENZA, and the 2004-2009 Prius.

If you or a family member owns one of the Toyota vehicles listed above and notices that the accelerator takes longer than usual to return to a normal position, it may be a sign of a stuck pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that “should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.”

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a car accident due to a Toyota car or truck malfunction, you should contact a product liability attorney right away.

We are fighting… for the safety and security of you and your family. Making cruise lines, other commercial facilities, and products safer and more secure, one case at a time.

CONTACT US AND SEE OUR RESULTS AT: www.hickeylawfirm.com and CALL US TOLL FREE AT 1.800.215.7117.

Primary Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/
http://www.toyota.com/recall/?srchid=K610_p228906387