Toyota Recall Fixes Might Not End Sudden Acceleration Problems

NATIONAL - A Toyota executive told a congressional panel yesterday that fixing floor mats and sticking pedals on millions of recalled vehicles would “not totally” fix problems with dangerous unintended acceleration.

He said that the automaker still hasn’t ruled out electronics as a potential cause of sudden acceleration.

Since September 2009, Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration. Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles involving over 30 deaths and causing hundreds of accidents.

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GOLF CART hit head on by SUV that fled the scene of the crash – Collier County Sheriff investigation continues

NAPLES - Three people were injured while riding in a golf cart at the ACE Group Classic. All three were hospitalized at Naples Hospital.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for the driver of the SUV who hit them head on before fleeing the scene.

The investigation in ongoing.

St. Pete Beach police investigating crosswalk accident - Pedestrian critically injured

ST. PETE BEACH — A pedestrian was struck and is in the hospital in critical condtion as the St. Pete Beach police investigate this accident.

According to officials, the pedestrian was walking across Blind Pass Road near 77th Avenue when he was hit by a vehicle heading north on Blind Pass Road. The pedestrian was in the crosswalk, police said.

This accident occurred at about 8:00 p.m.

"Lost value" lawsuits seen as most significant source of liability for Toyota

NATIONAL - In a column in Forbes (2/22), analytical services company Oxford Analytica wrote that lawsuits against Toyota will include "traditional product liability claims," as well as "claims that seek to recover cars' 'lost value'" and "shareholder suits that seek to recover for the drop in the company's share price."

The column assesses the lost value suits as posing the greatest threat, commenting that "the last several years have seen a significant scaling back in corporate legal liability for defective products, as a result both of legal reforms initiated at the federal and state levels and decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that have sharply limited the award of punitive damages."

Read the article in FORBES

TOUR BUS ♦ CHARTER BUS crash in Lake Placid ♦ Highlands County

LAKE PLACID - According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), two passengers were killed and 32 others were injured when a charter bus overturned today after being struck by a car.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Lake Francis Road and U.S. 27 in Lake Placid, Florida. FHP said at least five helicopters transported patients to nearby hospitals. Tampa General Hospital received four patients. The other people injured were being taken to Florida Hospital Lake Placid, Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring and Florida Hospital Heartland Sebring.

MOTORCYCLIST DEAD in CRASH with pick up truck on U.S. 19 in PASCO COUNTY near Gulfview Square Mall

PORT RICHEY — According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a motorcyclist died after colliding with a pickup truck on U.S. 19. The motorcyclist was traveling south on his 2006 Suzuki motorcycle when a truck driving north on U.S. 19 turned left into his path. The collision happened just south of the Gulf View Square Mall.

The crash remains under investigation.

Spring Hill teen critically injured in crash with Hillsborough deputy in Citrus Park

CITRUS PARK — Three teenagers suffered serious injuries after their car crashed into a deputy's cruiser on Citrus Park Drive. The injured were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and University Community Hospital in Carrollwood.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, no one was cited or charged and the accident as it is still under investigation.

Toyota power steering problems – INVESTIGATION – Losing control of steering at highway speeds

NATIONAL – According to a Transportation Department official, they plan to begin a formal investigation into potential problems with the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla power steering. 

The Toyota Motor Corporation was already looking into some complaints of power steering problems with the Corolla and was considering a recall. However, Toyota said “there have been fewer than 100 complaints.” Drivers have complained they feel they were losing control over the steering, particularly at highway speeds.

Toyota sold approximately 300,000 Corolla models in the United States last year.

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TOYOTA MOTORS - Toyota Corolla Steering Complaints Under Review – Another Safety Issue?

NATIONAL – According to Automotive News, Toyota may have another safety headache on it hands, this time involving the popular Corolla model.

According to various media reports, the. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing a number of complaints involving steering on the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla, and may open a formal probe. The Corolla has been the subject of 83 power-steering complaints to the NHTSA. At least 76 of those reports involved the Corolla unexpectedly veers to the left or right at 40 miles an hour and up.

In recent months, Toyota has also recalled millions of vehicles around the world because of incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration. Just a few months prior, in September 2009, Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle.

These recalls have put into question Toyota’s reputation for quality and reliability. Last months recall also created huge legal headaches for the automaker, which now faces at least 35 lawsuits filed by customers in the U.S. and Canada alleging, among other things, negligence and unjust enrichment.

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AIRBAG DEFECT - Airbag Recall - Honda - Accord - Civic - Odyssey - CRV - Acura TL on list of concern

NATIONAL - Bloomberg News reports the recall includes "437,763 vehicles globally." In the US, "vehicles to be repaired include some 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic cars, Odyssey minivans, CR-V sport-utility vehicles and 2002 Acura TL cars." 

During a conference call, John Mendel, Honda's US executive vice president of sales, said the company "knows of one death and 12 incidents related to the air-bag defect."

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TOYOTA STICKY ACCELERATORS may cause tragic accidents

NATIONAL - State Farm told NHTSA about sticky accelerators in 2007. In continuing coverage, the AP (2/10, Thomas) reports that State Farm insurance announced yesterday that it "alerted" NHTSA "in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall.

NHTSA officials said the report was reviewed and the agency issued a recall later that month. NHTSA received complaints about acceleration problems in Toyota vehicles as early as 2003, and congressional investigators are looking into whether the government missed warning signs of the problems."

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BayFlight - Car hit pedestrian then ran red light to flee - Largo Police investigate - SERIOUS INJURIES

LARGO – According to Bay News 9, Largo police are searching for a hit-and-run driver they say hit a pedestrian.

The incident occurred near East Bay Drive and Seacrest Drive in Largo.  Witnesses said, a car hit an unidentified person, and initially stopped before speeding off -- running a red light.  A BayFlight helicopter flew the victim to the hospital with serious injuries.  The pedestrian is reportedly in critical condition.

Police officials are looking for a newer model silver or light-colored car with front-end damage including broken headlights and a broken windshield.

STUDENT FROM OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL HIT by a car - STOPPED SCHOOL BUS

SEMINOLE -- A vehicle drive by a 69-year old woman hit a student from Osceola Middle School after she attempted to pass a stopped school bus, according to officials. The school bus was at a complete stop with the stop arm out, stop sign, and lights activated when the incident occurred.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 12-year-old girl was attempting to cross the street when the driver of the car tried to pass the bus in a no passing zone and ran over the girl's foot. The injured child was taken to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and will require surgery.

The crash remains under investigation.

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