Toyota: Fraud and Tragedy

Mar 06,2018

In 2010, we reported about the Toyota unintended acceleration defect. It seemed to start most prominently with a CHP officer, Mark Saylor, on August 28, 2009. Saylor was driving his family in a loaner Lexus when the accelerator became stuck. Everyone in the car was killed.

Toyota Knew About Acceleration Defect

Of course, the manufacturer blamed the driver for getting his foot caught, and then suggested it may have been the mat. But a lawsuit that went to trial in Oklahoma City in 2013 proved that the real problem with the sudden acceleration was actually the vehicle’s computer system. Moreover, Toyota knew of the defect and withheld that knowledge.

Toyota’s unconscionable conduct resulted in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) getting the Department of Justice to take Toyota to federal court on criminal charges. The charges resulted in a $1.2 billion deferred prosecution agreement, requiring Toyota to submit to monitoring for 3 years.

Toyota admitted to making misleading statements about safety issues, but the criminal charges were dropped because Toyota successfully complied with the terms of their “informal probation.”

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured by a defective product and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.