In a landmark ruling going against U.S. automaker Ford, a $131 million verdict was returned by the jury leaving the manufacturer culpable for the wrongful death of Minor League baseball player Brian Cole. The New York Mets hopeful had been driving his Explorer and was thrown from the vehicle when it flipped, suffering terminal injuries. Get the full story, pictures and video below.
Company spokeswoman Marcey Evans said Cole had been driving over 80 miles per hour when he went off the road and was not wearing his safety belt. Evans said that crucial evidence was omitted by the judge in the wrongful death suit, proving that Cole had not been wearing his seatbelt.
“This was a tragic accident, and our sympathy goes out to the Cole family for their loss, but it was unfair of them to blame Ford,” Evans said.
Of the numerous wrongful death suits brought against Ford, the $131 million verdict is the largest. The high sum was due to the victim’s profession, said attorney Tab Turner. Turner’s case stated that the Explorer’s susceptibility to overturning and faulty seatbelts caused the death of Cole.
“His belt was still buckled after the accident was over but he was thrown from the car.”
But spokesman Evans said that crucial evidence omitted in the case proved that Cole’s belt was not fastened properly, vindicating the automaker.
“Brian Cole had been driving over 80 mph when he drifted off road for unknown reasons, suddenly turned his steering wheel 295 degrees, lost control, and caused the vehicle to roll over more than three times,” Evans said. “He was not wearing his safety belt and died after being ejected from the vehicle. His passenger, who was properly belted, walked away from the accident.”
The automaker’s flagship vehicle, Explorer, came under fire years ago for its tendency to flip, but Firestone was eventually blamed due to faulty tires. For Ford, the $131 million verdict may encourage further suits against its vehicle unless they are able to get the decision overturned.
What do you think of the landmark case? Should Ford have to pay for the damages? Let me know your opinion in the comment section! For more on the story, check out the pictures and video below!
September 7th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Ford should NOT have to pay for this guys stupidity and the judge should be impeached for not allowing the critical evidence about the seat belt to be presented.There is such a thing as personal responsibility.It is his fault because he was NOT wearing his seat belt.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:23 am
It’s an unfortunate tragedy and my heart goes out to the family. It is understandable for the family to want to put blame on someone other than the deceased, but excessive speed caused this accident. Whether or not the accident had to result in death is yet to be determined since we don’t have all of the evidence but the cause is still the excessive speed and loss of control of the vehicle. They’re lucky the passenger wasn’t killed. If the passenger was killed, everyone would be blaming the driver, not Ford. This is why we have auto insurance. Going after Ford is ridiculous and the reasoning given for the excessive amount is idiotic. His life means more than someone else’s because of his “potential” profession? So if a CEO died he should get more than a waitress? Gotta love our justice system. The money won’t bring him back.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:59 am
I’ve driven Ford cars, trucks and SUVs all my life and currently drive an old (1996) Eddie Bauer Exploder (sorry, Ford, but I love the nickname–blame Firestone). Any SUV or truck, I don’t care who the manufacturer is, is not as stable at high speeds as a regular car. They are higher-profile which raises the center of gravity which makes them less stable. Simple. And if you don’t wear your seatbelt (or wear it incorrectly) as this story seems to indicate, while you’re driving your high-profile vehicle at high speeds, bad things are going to happen. It seems to me that the passenger’s ability to walk away from the crash due to proper seatbelt use (again, according to this story) would indicate that the driver was not property belted in. So, how is Ford to blame for that? I don’t get this crap. If you act like an idiot and suffer the consequences, how is Ford or McDonald’s or any other product manufacturer responsible for your actions? Having lost a family member in a crash several years ago, I understand how the family feels and my heart goes out to them. And, of course, it’s perfectly natural to not want to blame the driver for his own death. However, Ford is not responsible for the unsafe use of its product. It’s that simple. How can people not see this????
September 7th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Ford will win on appeal.
No seat belt.
Driving over the speed limit.
If the seat belt was still buckled after he was ejected then he probably buckled it and sat on it because he didn’t want to hear the warning bell. It’s a shame he died but it’s his fault not Ford.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Ok. I am not a ford fan, but this is Obama stupidity politics at it’s worst. A higher reward because he was a ball player.
Give me a break.
Next we will be reading he got a higher sum because he was a minority or some other nonsence.
Just sayin’
September 7th, 2010 at 9:30 am
[...] Ford $131 Million Verdict 9th Largest in U.S. History » Right Pundits [...]
September 7th, 2010 at 10:09 am
When will the courts stop giving out large sums for others mistakes, and sorry to say but stupitity and lack of common sence. No one takes responsabilty for there actions any longer due to the TV lawyers that will sue for anything even if someone has totaly bought it on them selves. No wonder the legal sytems and courts are so screwed up and the judges are also to blame they continue to allow this kind of cases
This cost ever one in this county and world when this happens the price of that item goes up to cover the fines, but NOT one of these people that bring these cases on win or lose thinks about it, how do the courts get paid and the lawyers. DA
September 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am
And we wonder why an aspirin costs $20.00 at the hospital.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
The judge is a moron. How can Ford be blamed when the guy was driving 80 mph…stupid on his part. Again, this just shows how stupid the courts have become.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
And we wonder why our economy is where it is? Ford is not to blame. “Marie” (above) hit the nail on the head: “If the passenger was killed, everyone would be blaming the driver, not Ford.” The driver was driving recklessly. The passenger was wearing a seat belt and was blessed enough to walk away from the accident. If the passenger was killed the one being sued would NOT have been Ford but the DRIVER’s insurance company and the DRIVER’s estate(yes, his family). I too am sorry they lost a loved one to an ACCIDENT but I sure hope they do something positive with the whopping $131 mil. settlement in memory of their family member and “potential” lifestyle they lost. Something tells me they won’t be thinking about how many additional innocent, hard working auto makers will be in the unemployment line, losing their homes and their kid’s college funds, from this and subsequent ridiculous settlement(s).
September 7th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
My bad – meant to use the word “verdict” – not “settlement” above. The amount is still ridiculous. Gee, maybe they will settle for a measely $100 mil. if Ford is able to get the real facts back in front of the court in their appeal.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
“Ok. I am not a ford fan, but this is Obama stupidity politics at it’s worst. A higher reward because he was a ball player. Give me a break.”
awards are supposed to be based on lost earning potential
as a professional athlete it is possible he could make that much
and if his belt was fastened, it could be an appropriate award
cars and seat belts should not fail just because you go 80 mph even if it is a ford
(here i am on the mass turnpike driving towards ny. forgive the shoes … it was a bad shoe day.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpdOt019tEg&feature=related
September 7th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Hah !
Looks like I pictured you but I just know you left your 1970 Beetle in your garage for the rental.
Hope you’re not parking that thing anywhere north of 51st and Lexington
September 7th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
you can tell it is not me because i would have a dunkin donuts extra large coffee in one hand and would be in a Lamborghini Murcielago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20E5YkwTY54
September 8th, 2010 at 8:27 am
I’d be happy with one of these.
I actually owned one at one time that was much more sinister looking. Black chrome wheels, black metal flake paint, sidewinders, and black windows, 302 instead of the 289.
Fcking thing was a beast. Not quite like the same as the 2005 Focus I’m driving now
September 8th, 2010 at 8:28 am
I guess the link would help.
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/rancheroclub/registry/20089
September 8th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
this is my new favorite car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk1t6S737Cs