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Suit settled against Chrysler - Design defect in 15 Seat Passenger Vans

December 9, 2003

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - On August 17, 2002, Symadia Ingham was driving a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 - 15-passenger van that she had rented from Thrifty Rent-A-Car. Traveling north on the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 155 in St. Lucie County, the van suddenly and unexpectedly went out of control, rolled over and its roof collapsed. Ingham suffered severe and permanent injuries that have left her with horrific scaring and in constant pain.

Ingham was operating the vehicle within the prescribed speed limits on the Florida Turnpike and was wearing the seat and shoulder restraints at the time of the accident.

Ms. Ingham joins a list of people injured or killed in these types of modified vehicles. The design and testing history behind the development of the Dodge Ram 3500 MaxiWagon clearly establishes that Chrysler knew that the vehicle design has serious roll and lateral instability defects, especially when caring 10 or more passengers. Research documents show that when this vehicle is loaded with 10 or more passenger that the center mass of the vehicle moves rearward and upward, with substantially more than one half of the vehicle weight on the rear axle, thus leading to a dangerous tendency to flip in the most ordinary turning maneuvers.

Because of the inherit design defects in the Chrysler 15 seat passenger van, attorney Ed Ricci filed a lawsuit. After months of litigation on December 1, 2003 the lawsuit was settled for a confidential amount.

"With all of this in mind, Chrysler still chooses to market the vehicle despite this knowledge," said Ingham's attorney, Ed Ricci. "With this overwhelming research and knowledge, Chrysler has consciously chosen to look the other way. They continue to place the consuming public at risk of danger," added Ricci.

"We are pleased with the outcome," said Ricci. "This is a continuing cause of great concern for consumers and me personally. We have handled a number of these cases concerning 15 seat passenger vans. It's tragic that people are still being injured or in many cases killed because of safety, design and engineering defects in these vehicles. Each time we are called upon to help another innocent victim or family who is adversely affected by this situation I hope it will be the last. However, it is obvious that nothing in the design and safety measures are changing. If nothing else I hope that the public will be aware of the risks when cases like this public," added Ricci.

Attorney Edward M. Ricci in the law firm of Edward M. Ricci, P.A., has specialized in civil trial law for more than 34 years. The firm is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida at 515 N. Flagler Avenue, Suite 400. Mr. Ricci can be contacted at (561) 842-2820. Additional information about Edward M. Ricci, P.A. may be obtained from the firm's website at www.edriccilaw.com.
 

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