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Another Ford Explorer Rollover, another Death and Injury

PALM BEACH, FL - On April 9, 2002, Berta and Rolando Altamirano landed at Miami International Airport where they rented a Ford Explorer from Budget Rent-a-Car.

While heading northbound on I-95 in Palm Beach County the Ford Explorer suddenly and unexpectedly went out of control and rolled over. During the rollover the Explorer's roof totally collapsed onto the heads of the Altamiranos, who were wearing lap/shoulder belts. Rolando Altamirano was killed and Berta survived with very serious injuries.

Attorneys Edward Ricci and Theodore Leopold representing the Altamiranos have filed a suit in Palm Beach County on behalf of Berta Altamirano against Ford and Budget. The suit alleges that the Explorer is still unsafe. “Ford has not solved the rollover problem in the Explorer,” said Ricci “and a man is dead because of this.”

A lawsuit also has been filed against Budget Rent-a-Car (previously wholly owned by Ford) for its knowledge of the Explorer's rollover tendencies and its failure to take any corrective action to protect its customers,” stated Leopold.

“The Explorer is not equipped to properly handle emergency maneuvers at highway speeds as evidenced by the countless rollover accidents involving the Explorer. Ford has known that the Explorer is not equipped with reasonable safety features to protect occupants when a rollover occurs, but marketed this vehicle, despite this knowledge. The consuming public is at risk of extreme danger,” concluded Ricci.

Edward M. Ricci and Theodore J. Leopold are Senior 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 may be obtained from the firm's website at www.riccilaw.com .

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