Driven to Safety: How Litigation Spurred Auto Safety Innovations
In the wake of Toyota’s sudden acceleration scandal, automobile safety is once again a hot-button issue. After internal documents showed Toyota knew about potential defects, hid them from regulators, and even bragged about saving money from limiting its recalls, Toyota received the largest fine ever levied against an auto manufacturer.
After 50 deaths and 8.5 million recalled cars, this saga is yet another example of regulation as an incomplete safeguard and manufacturers that put profits over safety. Unfortunately, this scenario has been repeating itself for decades.
In the 1960s, court cases began highlighting the dangers of car design and the willful negligence of manufacturers in designing cars that they knew to be unsafe. Since then the civil justice system has worked hand-in-hand with regulation to protect Americans, while spurring generations of safety innovations.
Litigation will ultimately play a key role in identifying what went wrong with Toyota. These findings will aid regulators and legislators in protecting the American public in the future. By holding manufacturers accountable, the civil justice system will continue to spur safety innovations, as it has done for half a century.
AAJ Release: Civil Justice System Spurs Auto Safety Innovation
Download AAJ's report, "Driven to Safety: How Litigation Spurred Auto Safety Innovations"
The interactive car below shows 11 safety innovations in automobiles where litigation played a critical role. This includes gas tanks, side impact design, seat belts, roof crush, tires, electronic stability control, door latches, illusory park, air bags, power windows, and seats.
To download a copy of “What Would Cars Be Like Without the Civil Justice System,” click here.
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
629 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206-4211
Phone (615) 329-3000
Fax (615) 329-8131
TTLA Office
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629 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
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Phone: (615) 329-3000
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Fax: (615) 329-8131
About Us
For over 55 years, TTLA has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyday citizens, Tennessee families, and small businesses are never deprived of their constitutional guarantee of access to justice. The mission of TTLA is simple – we are dedicated to protecting the constitutional promise of justice for all by guaranteeing the right to trial by jury, preserving an independent judiciary, and providing access to the courts for all Tennesseans.