Looking Back on Anderson v. GM
It’s been over twenty years since the largest verdict and personal injury award was handed down in a California court. The case, Anderson v. GM (General Motors) was historic for its $4.9 billion (with a B) award against General Motors and for the plaintiff.
Tustin injury lawyer courtroom image
Car accident lawsuits in California and indeed throughout the county rarely result in an award of this size, however the award emphasizes the importance of competent legal representation when going up against a huge corporation in a court of law.
The case involved Patricia Anderson, her four children and one of their neighbors, named Jo Tigner. The vehicle in which they were driving was a 1979 Chevrolet Malibu and was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The children became trapped in the back and suffered burns. The suit claimed the injuries were due to flaws in GM’s gas tank.
The court ultimately decided in favor of the plaintiff and awarded $4.9 billion in damages. The award was later reduced to 1.09 billion.
Car accidents may sometimes involve more complex matters than which driver was at fault. In this case the accident attorneys who represented the victims argued that despite a drunk driver in the car that hit the victims’ automobile, the injuries were in fact due to a defective or faulty product of the car manufacturer. Indeed, upon investigation it was found that GM memos stated it would be less expensive to settle lawsuits than improve the overall safety of their cars.
Car Accident Attorneys in Orange County
A good car crash lawyer, or team of lawyers, can mean the difference between success or failure for an accident victim in court. Even in cases that don’t merit the same notoriety as Anderson v. GM, having an experienced accident attorney on your side is a necessity. For those who have been injured or have loved ones who have suffered injuries, their case is the most important in the world and they want to see justice done. That’s why choosing the right personal injury attorney in Orange County should be the first consideration is such circumstances.
If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident in Orange County and need legal representation, consult with Kyle Scott in Tustin. With more than 28 years of personal injury law experience you can be assured that no matter how complex the issue you will have one less thing to worry about. Experience peace of mind. Experience the Kyle Scott Law difference. Call today for a free consultation: 717-544-1460.