Jury Awards $14.2 Million for Fatal Defective Truck Design
A vehicle's transmission was negligently designed. The truck suddenly slipped from park into reverse, causing the vehicle to move backward and strike a person.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $14,200,000
- County
- Maricopa County, AZ
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Case Overview
A plaintiff was struck and killed when a truck allegedly slipped from park into reverse, causing the vehicle to move backward suddenly. The plaintiff's representatives subsequently filed a lawsuit against the vehicle manufacturer, alleging negligent design of the truck's transmission.
During the trial, experts for the plaintiff testified regarding mechanical engineering, vehicle accident reconstruction, and design defects, as well as human factors in product design and safety. The defendant presented experts who focused on human factors, warning labels, and failure analysis of automobile systems. Following the trial, a jury found in favor of the plaintiff and awarded $14,200,000.
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