Toyota’s Big Win on Unintended Acceleration Trial

Toyota won a case in  Superior Court in Los Angeles. The jury in the Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding ( JCCP) rejected claims that a  2006 Camry involved in fatal accident in 2009 was defective because it lacked a brake override system.

After four and a half days, a jury reached a defense verdict in favor of Toyota in a case brought by the family of Noriko Uno.  This accident could have been avoided  if her vehicle had been equipped with a brake override.

During this trial, Toyota’s experts were involved, pointing out that the brake override technology would not have made any difference in preventing this crash. They also rejected the theory of the prosecutor that Mrs. Uno’s foot became “stuck” between the brake and the accelerator pedals after her vehicle was struck by the co-defendant in this case Olga Bello, allegedly causing the acceleration.

As a ‘bellwether” case in the consolidated state cases confirms unintended acceleration. This case points a significant standard that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.

The case was very important, especially the result of it. This points that it was selected as a “bellwether” by the Prosecutor’s Steering Committee in the JCCP, believing that it was among their strongest cases to bring to trial.

The Toyota’s statement, concerning the case:

“We sympathize with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles as well as the family and friends of Noriko Uno.

“Regarding the verdict, we are gratified that the jury  concluded the design of the 2006 Camry did not contribute to this unfortunate accident affirming the same conclusion we reached after more than three years of careful investigation - that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle at issue in this case. As an important bellwether in these consolidated state proceedings, we believe this verdict sets a significant benchmark by helping further confirm that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.”