08/14/03 - Chrysler and Thrifty Rent-A-Car named in van rollover suit

Chrysler and Thrifty Rent-A-Car named in van rollover suit

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - On August 17, 2002, Symadia Ingham was driving a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 - 15-passenger van that she had rented from Thrifty Rent-A-Car. Traveling north on the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 155 in St. Lucie County, the van suddenly and unexpectedly went out of control, rolled over and its roof collapsed. Ingham suffered severe and permanent injuries that have left her disabled and in constant pain.

Ingham was operating the vehicle within the prescribed speed limits on the Florida Turnpike and was wearing the seat and shoulder restraints at the time of the accident.

Ms. Ingham joins a list of people injured or killed in these types of modified vehicles. The design and testing history behind the development of the Dodge Ram 3500 MaxiWagon clearly establishes that Chrysler knew that the vehicles design has serious roll and lateral instability defects, especially when caring 10 or more passengers. Research documents show that when this vehicle is loaded with 10 or more passengers that the center of mass of the vehicle moves rearward and upward, with substantially more than one half of the vehicle weight on the rear axle, thus leading to a dangerous tendency to flip in the most ordinary turning maneuvers.

The Dodge Ram is also not equipped to handle emergency maneuvers at highway speeds. Additionally, Chrysler continues to be aware of the fact that this particular vehicle is not equipped with reasonable safety features to protect occupants when/if a rollover accident occurs.

"With all of this in mind, Chrysler still chooses to market the vehicle despite this knowledge," said Ingham's attorney, Edward Ricci of the West Palm Beach law firm, Ricci ~ Leopold. "With this overwhelming research and knowledge, Chrysler has consciously chosen to look the other way. They continue to place the consuming public at risk of danger."

In addition to filing both liability and negligence claims against Chrysler, Ricci and his partner Theodore Leopold have filed suit against Thrifty Rent-A-Car as well. "As an owner and lessor of the van, Thrifty continues to have a duty to protect or at best warn its customers against injury. They breached their duty as did that of the employee who rented the vehicle," said Leopold.

The action filed in circuit court does not mention specific damages.

"This is a continuing cause of great concern for consumers and me personally. We have handled a number of these cases concerning 15+ passenger vans. It's tragic that people are still being injured or in many cases killed because of safety, design and engineering defects in these vehicles. Each time we are called upon to help another innocent victim or family who is adversely affected by this situation I hope it will be the last. However, it is obvious that nothing in the design and safety measures are changing. If nothing else I hope that the public will be aware of the risks when cases like this go to trial and may be noticed in the courts and media," added Ricci.

Edward M. Ricci and Theodore J. Leopold are a partners in the law firm of Ricci ~ Leopold, P.A. The firm founded in 1982, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices located at 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Mr. Ricci and Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500. Additional information about Ricci ~ Leopold and this case may be obtained from the firm's website at www.riccilaw.com.