Ford Motor Company

I. ACCIDENT FACTS:
This case involves an accident that occurred on October 23, 2002 near Caledonia Minnesota. Jesus DeLeon was the driver and Hector Salinas was the passenger in a 2000 model Ford Taurus. Both men were from the Rio Grande valley but were working out of state. Both men had been working on a farm in the area for about three months. Since they traveled to work each day very early in the morning before the local gas stationed opened, they always filled up the car the night before. After getting gas and cigarettes, they were returning home at approximately 10:00 p.m. They were traveling on the highway when they came to a sharp turn. The driver missed the turn and drove off the road. After traveling approx. 70 feet the vehicle turned sideways and rolled 2 1/2 times in a hay field. During the roll the roof crushed on the passenger side. The roof crushed on Mr. Salinas' head rendering him quadriplegic. The roof did not crush on Mr. DeLeon and he walked away from the accident and ran for help. Mr. Salinas was properly wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. The Ford Taurus was first sold in 1986.

II. PLAINTIFF'S ALLEGATIONS:
Plaintiff alleged that the roof was defective due to the following:

• After the first generation of Taurus, the roof became weaker because steel was removed from the roof to save money;
• Holes or "Cut outs" were used in the steel roof supports;
• Ford used of a weak grade of steel;
• The roof was designed to a weak standard;
• The roof was not subject to any real world testing;
• The roof was tested to an outdated 30 year old standard;
• A former Ford engineer characterized the standard as "silly"; and
• The roof could barely support its own weight;

Plaintiff's experts suggested several alternative safer designs, which included the use of foam in the pillars of the vehicle. It was shown that this type of foam is used in several production model vehicles. Other Alternative safer designs included an integral roll bar, tubular steel reinforcements, and a stronger gauge of steel. Plaintiff's experts discussed both the economic and technical feasibility of these measures.

III. DAMAGES:
Mr. Salinas is Quadriplegic. He was in the hospital for 2 months before he returned to Texas from Minnesota. His past medical expenses exceeded $100,000 and he had a multi-million dollar life care plan.

IV. VEHICLE:
2000 Ford Taurus

V. CASE DISPOSITION:
The case settled for a confidential sum after one week of trial and shortly before Plaintiffs rested their case.

[Information Provided By]

Legal Help

If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no obligation, please click the link below to submit your complaint.