Toyota Accused of Hiding Evidence on Rollover Deaths

Lawsuit from former company lawyer says Toyota concealed documents in hundreds of cases

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 1, 2009 3:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – A former top lawyer for Toyota says the company concealed evidence relating to hundreds of rollover accidents that caused death and injury, the Los Angeles Times reports. The attorney, who says he was forced to resign from the firm in 2007, has filed a lawsuit alleging that engineering data that proved its SUV roofs were substandard was destroyed, and that the company forced him to illegally withhold information.

Toyota denies the accusations, calling the lawyer a disgruntled former employee out for revenge. Analysts say the allegations, if true, could have enormous financial consequences for the company. "The petition alleges conduct by Toyota that would cause every case ever resolved by Toyota in the past 10 years to be reopened,” said one Texas lawyer. "We intend to ask the courts to re-open these lawsuits.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

Toyota may face an avalanche of reopened lawsuits if accusations from one of its former leading counsels are found to be true. (AP Photo/Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

A former Toyota lawyer accuses the company of hiding evidence showing that the roofs on its SUVs failed to meet safety standards. (Getty Images)

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We understand that these are serious allegations, but his life has been destroyed by Toyota's actions. This is the stuff of Hollywood movies. - Jeffrey Allen, attorney for
former Toyota lawyer Dimitrios P. Biller

The bottom line is that Toyota has a mess on its hands.
- Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

ChickenChopper

Sep 1, 2009 12:44 PM CDT

um...campaign donations?

youngblood

Sep 1, 2009 11:48 AM CDT

It seems like every company out there are scumbags with their business practices and for their don't give a dame about the public , just get the money and fuck them if they die attitude. I"m still amazed that cigarette companies are still in business, how do they get away with that!!? I am a ex- smoker, thank god i finally got off of them and I did love smoking at one point of my life but really these companies are killing many of us yearly with their products so why are they still in business?!

BlahBlahBlah

Sep 1, 2009 7:32 AM CDT

Let me guess, you are perfect and drive a fule efficent match box car? Is that the point that you are trying to get out there?

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car accident • Toyota • car crash • lawyer • auto industry • rollover

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Toyota Accused of Hiding Evidence on Rollover Deaths