AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Jury clears GM in rollover
December 8, 2004
A Texas jury cleared General Motors Corp. of responsibility for injuries to a 34-year-old man who was left quadriplegic when his 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle rolled over.
Accident victim Alan Kohutek argued at a trial of his personal-injury lawsuit against GM that the Tahoe is prone to rolling over during evasive driving maneuvers and that the roof doesn't protect occupants during a rollover.
Kohutek was injured in June 2003 when his Tahoe flipped over after he swerved to avoid an object that had fallen from a trailer in front of him. The jury in San Antonio said Tuesday there were no defects in the Tahoe and awarded no damages. GM said the roof of the Tahoe exceeds federal requirements for roof strength.
"Nothing about this vehicle caused this crash," company spokeswoman Brenda Rios said in an e-mailed statement after the verdict. "Kohutek's injuries were caused by the severe accident forces and not any defect in the vehicle."
Kohutek's attorneys said they haven't decided whether to appeal. Kohutek sought about $5 million for past and future medical and care costs, attorney Mikal Watts said.
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