When Toyota reached an out of court settlement with the families involved in the CHP officer Saylor / ES350 unintended acceleration crash-- the one which killed four and set off a chain reaction of recalls that sent Toyota reeling-- the actual amount of the settlement was not released. At the time of the settlement, Toyota said that they had "reached an amicable agreement in mediation that fully resolves these claims without the need for litigation."
But thanks to Bob Baker Lexus ( the dealership who loaned Saylor the ES 350 with the incorrect floormats ), the Orange County Courts and various media outlets, the amount is now known: $10,000,000.
In a statement, Toyota said, "Toyota and the Saylor and Lastrella families reached a private, amicable settlement through mutual respect and cooperation without the involvement of the courts, so we are disappointed that the amount of this settlement has now been made public against the express wishes of these families and Toyota...Indeed, Bob Baker Lexus already knew the terms of the settlement. However, Mr. Baker now wants the amount publicized in an apparent effort to shift the focus away from his dealership as he continues to litigate this case with the families.
"Mr. Baker and his dealership continue to ignore the December 2009 San Diego County Sheriff's Department report on the Saylor accident, which determined that the cause was an incompatible all-weather floor mat from a Lexus SUV model that was installed incorrectly in the ES 350 sedan at the dealership then loaned to the Saylor family by Bob Baker Lexus."
Somehow we think this is not the last we've heard of Bob Baker Lexus. To read an interview with Baker from the San Diego Union from September, click here.
93aero says:
12:00 AM, 12/25/10
I continuously misread the dealers name as Bob Barkers Lexus....thinking "The price is wrong b*tch" every single time. You'd think that since it was alot of fault on the dealer, that he would have been shut down.
desmolicious says:
08:12 PM, 12/25/10
Sounds like the survivors had terrible lawyers. $2.5 million per death? That would be the settlement in a regular injury accident award for severe (but recoverable) injury.
tmanz says:
09:08 AM, 12/27/10
"You'd think that since it was alot of fault on the dealer, that he would have been shut down."
It still could:
"his dealership as he continues to litigate this case with the families."
And it would seem to me it was completely the dealerships fault. I don't think Toyota should have had to pay out anything.
cardesigner82 says:
12:00 PM, 12/27/10
tmanz says:
"And it would seem to me it was completely the dealerships fault. I don't think Toyota should have had to pay out anything."
It would seem that way, but Bob Baker didn't manufacture the vehicle they simply distributed them, and installed the incorrected floor mat. Again, the floor mat is really NOT the problem, that's why Toyota wants to settle out of court BADLY.
desmolicious says:
"Sounds like the survivors had terrible lawyers. $2.5 million per death? That would be the settlement in a regular injury accident award for severe (but recoverable) injury."
That's a wrongful death/personal injury settlement. Had this gone to court, the family can seek punitive damages as well. Again, Toyota is trying its best to NOT let these cases get tried. Its a dirty game they are playing to save money and not being responsible for their actions. Hence, they wanted to keep it as undisclosed info in "respect" to the families.
jederino says:
12:03 PM, 12/27/10
A terrible tragedy. It gives pause, because so many buget-minded drivers get those ill-fitting floor mats from autoparts stores. My wife had aftermarket mats in her Toyta Corolla, ironically, before we met. I could not believe she put up with that thing slipping around under her feet! I got it out of there instantly. As a labor of love, drive your loved one's car periodically, and watch her drive it, too, for distractions or unsafe habits. Be sure to invite her critiques on your driving safety as well, particularly if you feel you don't need it!
cardesigner82 says:
12:07 PM, 12/27/10
Its also interesting to see Bob Baker ignoring the reports on the incident, because it sounds like he's trying to separate himself and his dealership name on the faultiness of the vehicles. Many are saying its the floor mats, but many more believe its something else that has YET to be disclosed.
firstwagon says:
07:11 PM, 12/27/10
Am I the only one here who thinks it's about 10% Toyotas fault for not having idiot proof enough floor matts and 90% the drivers fault for not only not checking that the matts were in place but also not having the common sense to use one of a half dozen or more ways to stop the car?
I also find it amusing that to date (side from some slipping floor mats) no one has shown any actual fault with any of the Toyota vehicles in question.
Nice lottery win though.
(And no I do not own a Toyota nor am I a fan of any of their cars).