Another lawsuit has been filed against Fiat Chrysler claiming the ZF gear shift is defective and dangerous in Rhode Island. A retired South Kingstown state trooper filed the lawsuit in federal court claiming he was injured as a result of an alleged gear shift defect. The victim was injured after parking his Jeep Cherokee near a concrete wall. Upon attempting to exit the vehicle, it began to roll backwards. Unable to stop the Jeep from rolling, the victim’s left leg was pinned between the car and the concrete wall causing a complete tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and fracturing his knee. He will be having surgery to replace his knee in October. It is reported that the defective shifter has caused numerous injuries and could lead to multiple South Kingstown car accident lawsuits.
Why is the ZF Gear Shifter Causing Injuries?
Fiat Chrysler implemented a non-traditional gear shift design that does not move up and down or lock into place. The gear shifter was designed to return to the center or “park” position without giving the driver sufficient feedback as to what gear the car is actually in. Without knowing what gear the car is in, drivers are unable to determine whether or not the vehicle is in park. Because of this, many drivers have exited their vehicles while they are actually in drive or reverse. Lawsuits against Fiat Chrysler claim that the company failed to safely integrate the ZF gear into their vehicles as other car companies have done by using safety override systems.
What Kind of Injuries are Being Reported?
To date, the unusual Fiat Chrysler shifter have been the subject of some 700 incident reports, including 308 property damage claims, 212 car accidents, and 41 related injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that injuries reported to have been caused by the gear shifter include:
- Fractured pelvis
- Ruptured bladder
- Fractured kneecap
- Broken ribs
- Facial lacerations requiring stitches
- Extensive Trauma to arms and legs
Contact a South Kingstown Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a South Kingstown car accident, contact one of our experienced South Kingstown car accident lawyers at 117 Main Street, South Kingstown, RI 02879. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you win your case. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us at 401-490-4332 or call toll free at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out our contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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