Defending domestic and foreign automakers and suppliers in product liability and class action litigation. We have also defended manufacturers of other motor vehicles, including heavy trucks and buses.

To effectively represent manufacturers and suppliers of increasingly advanced and complex motor vehicles, attorneys must be strong advocates, experienced in defending the automobile industry, knowledgeable about the business issues confronting automobile manufacturers, and exercise sound judgment as a trusted advisors to these companies. Not only do our attorneys possess the necessary legal experience and knowledge of the automobile industry, including vehicle design and related technology, accident dynamics, occupant kinematics, biomechanics and injury causation issues; they have the capacity, commitment and desire to become well-versed in the specific technical subject matter of the case and our client’s products. Our attorneys stay abreast of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rulemaking, consumer information and research activities on a regular basis. Experienced attorneys have also worked with (and against) most of the leading experts in automotive product liability litigation and has accumulated a wealth of important and valuable information about these experts.

The following lists many of the types of claims defended and comprehensive areas of automotive product liability litigation and consultation in which our attorneys have substantial experience.

Rollover Litigation

Handling and stability	Padding
Rollover resistance	Welding
On and off-road rollovers	Related belt design issues
Roof strength	Related door latch issues
Curtain airbags	Lift gate
Window and sunroof glazing	Advertising
Electronic Stability Control	Warnings

Occupant Protection

Seats

Strength	Adjustable head rest
Recliner strength	Integrated head rest
Broken recliner	Seat track
Single side recliner

Seat Belts

Passive belts – motorized	·         Energy management loops
Passive belts – door mounted	Inadequate restraint
Inertial unlatching	Rear seat shoulder belt
False latch	Web grabber
Skip lock	GEN II and GEN III buckle design
Late lockup	Pretensioners
Comfort feature	Geometry
Submarining	Child restraint
Broken/torn webbing	Pregnant occupant
Anchor failure	Side curtain airbags

Airbags

No airbag	Cervical injuries
Failure to deploy	Ocular injuries
Low threshold	Chemical sensitivity
Late deployment	Respiratory injury
Off-set impacts	Out-of-position occupants
Small-statured occupants	Depowering
Aggressive deployment

Vehicle Operation

Backover Cases

• Backup sensors
• Rearview monitors

Unintended/Sudden Acceleration

• Pedal misapplication
• Electronic throttle control
• Cruise control

Park to Reverse Allegations

• Transmission linkage
• Selector spring pressure
• Lever/shift gate design

Vehicle Fires

Post-Collision Fuel Fed Fires

• Fuel lines and pumps
• Tank placement
• Tank material/durability

Other

• Brake performance
• Brake Transmission
• Shift Interlock (BTSI)
• Tire delamination
• Battery design and warnings
• Radiators, heater cores and other HVAC components