Product Liability Lawyers
Auto product liability experts have noted a brake design defect in 1986 Plymouth Voyager minivan models which is exhibited by premature and unanticipated rear-wheel lockup. This is a concern because rear-wheel lockup can cause serious car accidents.
Owners have said that the rear ends of their minivans skidded or swerving following hard application of the brakes. Although not all owners specifically stated that their wheels “locked up,” it was inferred that the braking system was essentially the same in all the minivans. All incidents occurred on wet roads. Even though many car accidents occurred in snowy conditions, most of the snow had been cleared and the road was only wet. In Chrysler’s view, because the witnesses were ordinary drivers, they were incapable of identifying premature wheel-rear lockup.
Installation of a shield over the height sensing proportioning valve (HSPV) was necessary to keep small stones from becoming entrapped in the HSPV. An HSPV so contaminated could increase stopping distances during hard braking when the minivan was lightly loaded. Chrysler was put on notice that the HSPV could not be relied on to prevent premature rear-wheel lockup. Chrysler was also concerned about snow contamination and rear-wheel skid.
A memo from a Chrysler braking engineer written shortly before he retired reported rear-brake “burn up” and rear-wheel skid from leased vehicles, endurance vehicles, taxicabs, passenger vehicles, and station wagons–but not minivans, which had not yet been developed. He concluded that these Chrysler vehicles suffered from premature rear-wheel skid after a short period of use. This tendency was accompanied by increased efficiency and rapid wear of the vehicles’ rear brake linings.
This widespread tendency to experience rear-wheel skid because of over-efficient rear brake linings, combined with the fact that the brake linings in the minivan were excessively worn, indicated that that Chrysler was aware of the tendency of the rear wheels of its vehicles to lockup prematurely due to over-efficient rear brake linings.
Since their founding in 1978, Bisnar Chase lawyers have represented over four thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an “AV” rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a “10″ Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a “Community Hero” by the United Way, while Brian was named a “Trial Lawyer of the Year” in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. More important than all their top ratings and awards are the testimonials their clients bestow on them. Aren’t these the type of guys you want representing you? For more information on auto product liability attorneys, visit the Bisnar Chase web site at http://www.bestattorney.com or call 1-800-561-4887.
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