Defective Vehicle Component Causes Serious Injuries

This automotive mechanics case takes place in Georgia and involves an unintended acceleration in the plaintiff’s vehicle. It’s alleged that the design of the car’s accelerator and floormat allowed the accelerator to become stuck to the floor of the car, causing dangerous and unintentional acceleration. The plaintiff suffered multiple injuries after being in an accident caused by this defect, and is now confined to a wheelchair. According to the plaintiff, the pedal became stuck as he was merging onto the freeway, causing him to impact another vehicle and throwing him into the median divider at high speed.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please explain your qualifications to review this case.

2. Do you have extensive experience testing automotive floor mats?

3. What is your experience working on similar cases?

Expert Witness Response E-024042

This case is right in my area of expertise and I am glad to assist. Currently, I am the president at my textile testing laboratory where I test thousands of car mats every year for safety. There are really only 8-10 different versions of slip resistant car mats. I am knowledgeable about the majority of them and have tested virtually every kind of carpeting and automotive floor mat. I have tested the car mats in this particular vehicle model and the car mats and several other major automobile manufacturers. From my findings, these mats do indeed pose a danger of locking the accelerator to the floor during normal use, and may have been the cause of this accident.