The Mystery of Sudden Acceleration Continues To Plague Automobile Manufacturers - Some Suggest Cosmic Waves Are To Blame
As an experienced Philadelphia automotive product liability attorney, I have investigated cases of sudden acceleration numerous times since 1979. Initially in the early days, I must confess that I believed that mostly driver error was to blame and that I was somewhat suspicious of an automotive product defect. Recent news stories indicate that there have been over 1,500 complaints of sudden acceleration noted on Toyota models, not included in the 5.6 million already recalled vehicles.
My wife drives a new BMW 530 series and I have noticed at least five occasions of sudden, unintended acceleration and have taken the car to the dealer and it is often difficult to replicate the circumstances of the same and I am starting to understand the difficulty that the manufacturers and dealers have repairing the system without a definitive diagnosis.
I recently read a study that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seems to be taking seriously that seems almost humorous. The theory is that cosmic rays have long been known to trigger errors in computer systems of airplanes and spacecraft. An additional claim that I have an easier time adhering to is that the design of the microprocessors memory chips and software possibly have a glitch which is not so uncommon with other computer-based devices utilizing software operating systems. Under the cosmic ray theory put forth, the regulators even claimed that the design of a Toyota microprocessor or memory chips possibly make it more vulnerable to these rays than those of other automakers.
At any rate, one thing appears for certain - that there is a sudden, unintended acceleration problem and that the definitive cause has not yet been identified with certainty. Despite the attempts of Toyota dealers to reinforce gas pedals, secure floor mats, and repair the vehicles as per specifications, based upon recent news stories of continued complaints after repairs, the fix is not a fix.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident caused by the sudden, unintended acceleration of your motor vehicle, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia automotive product liability lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation.
