Results

Automotive Crashworthiness-Unintended Acceleration

Firm Obtains Recovery for Police Officer Who Was Run Over While Directing Traffic

While directing traffic a female police officer was run over and dragged more than 150 feet by a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was accelerating out of control in reverse gear. The Jeep Grand Cherokee designed the accelerator and brake pedals cause in a manner that gives drivers the illusion that they are applying the brake when they are applying the accelerator.

Ricci~Leopold, P.A. approved that Chrysler's failure to redesign the pedal locations for both the brake and accelerator and/or because it failed to install a brake transmission shift interlock (a design that requires the driver to firmly place his/her foot on the break before the car can be shifted into reverse or drive) was responsible for the unintended acceleration.

Incidence of pedal misapplication or unintended acceleration claims involving the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Cherokees have been the subject of numerous lawsuits and customer complaints throughout the United States since these cars were first introduced. Yet, despite these claims, and Chrysler's knowledge of the problem, Chrysler did nothing.