In 2011, a group of Honda and Toyota automobile owners filed a class-action lawsuit against eight auto-part suppliers after the federal government released information detailing an international price-fixing scheme that may have cost American purchasers and lessees millions of dollars in the form of inflated car prices over a 10-year period. The defendants supply automotive wire harnesses and related products in a wide range of Japanese and American built cars. Collectively, the defendants dominate the global automotive wire harness systems market. Wire harnesses are used to direct and control electronic components, wiring and circuit boards in automobiles.
Among the defendants is Furukawa Electric, who was cited in an agreement in which three of its employees agreed to plead guilty and pay a $200 million dollar fine for the company’s participation in the scheme, and three of its executives are currently serving prison time in U.S. prisons for their roles. The vehicles purchased by plaintiffs during this class period include a 2009 Honda CRV, a 2005 Toyota Prius and a 2008 Toyota Camry.
If you know anyone who may have purchased or leased one of the above stated vehicles, please contact our firm by phone at 314-241-0763.
Auto Crash Injuries and DWD
DWD is “driving while distracted”. We have heard and read so much about DWI and DUI (driving while intoxicated or under the influence) associated with vehicle crashes, but not nearly as much as DWD. Yet, today we are finding ever so many auto collisions and resulting injuries caused by DWD. It is true that texting gets most of the press, as does cell phone use, which activities seem almost universal. But, there exist other multi-tasking that can be just as dire, ie, eating, drinking coffee or soft drinks, changing the radio station, talking to other occupants, or one of my favorites, “grooming”. How often do we see lipstick or cosmetic applications while watching oneself in the rear view mirror?
The point is, let’s not stop with the repetitive criticism of texting and cell phone use. These other “distractions” can be just as lethal.