Toyota Corolla Lawsuit Filed Over Defective Seatbelts and Door Latches

A product liability lawsuit was filed in the California Superior Court for Orange County against Toyota Motor Company, alleging that a 2005 Toyota Corolla contained defective seatbelts and door latches, which allowed the driver to be ejected in an auto accident last year.

Elias Chico filed the lawsuit on August 18, 2008, alleging that he suffered severe injuries as a result of Toyota’s failure to provide available safety features, which would not have significantly increased their cost to manufacture the car.

In April 2007, Chico was driving his 2005 Toyota Corolla when he lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on with another car. Although he was wearing a seatbelt, Chico was ejected through the right front door of his car.

As a result of the accident, Chico suffered severe injuries that included skull fractures, traumatic brain injury, bruised lungs and fractured legs. The lawsuit alleges that he has required several operations, extensive medical treatment and has been unable to work for a period of time.

In a statement released by the auto accident lawyer representing Chico, it would have cost Toyota only $100 more to provide seatbelts that would not tear on impact. They claim that Toyota put their concern for profits before the safety of the vehicle for consumers.

The Toyota Corolla is one of the top selling vehicles on the market, with sales of over 340,000 vehicles in 2005. The Corolla is sold for between $15,000 and $20,000.