La. woman wins $32.4 million judgment against Michelin
Tire Business staff report©
DONALDSONVILLE, La. (Oct. 17, 2007) — A Louisiana circuit court has ordered Michelin North America Inc. to pay a local woman $32.4 million in a case arising from a 2002 auto accident that rendered her a paraplegic.
Drusilla Boudreaux, 54, of Gonzales, La., was a passenger in a vehicle that skidded off Interstate 10 near her home, crashed and caught fire. New BFGoodrich tires—a Michelin associate brand—had recently been placed on the vehicle’s front axle.
Ms. Boudreaux’s attorneys argued that Michelin had not informed Gonzales Tire and Rubber Co., which sold and installed the tires, that it is safer to place new tires on the rear axle, and that the car hydroplaned as a result.
A Michelin spokeswoman said it always advises all of its dealers to place new tires on the rear axle in cases where four new tires are not purchased. She also noted that a local weatherman testified the road wasn’t wet enough that night to induce hydroplaning, and she said driver error was the main causative factor in the accident.
Michelin plans to appeal, the spokeswoman said.
Carey Wicker, the New Orleans attorney who represented Ms. Boudreaux, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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what a crock. dern lawyers and our system! its the drivers fault!
Tire Business staff report©
DONALDSONVILLE, La. (Oct. 17, 2007) — A Louisiana circuit court has ordered Michelin North America Inc. to pay a local woman $32.4 million in a case arising from a 2002 auto accident that rendered her a paraplegic.
Drusilla Boudreaux, 54, of Gonzales, La., was a passenger in a vehicle that skidded off Interstate 10 near her home, crashed and caught fire. New BFGoodrich tires—a Michelin associate brand—had recently been placed on the vehicle’s front axle.
Ms. Boudreaux’s attorneys argued that Michelin had not informed Gonzales Tire and Rubber Co., which sold and installed the tires, that it is safer to place new tires on the rear axle, and that the car hydroplaned as a result.
A Michelin spokeswoman said it always advises all of its dealers to place new tires on the rear axle in cases where four new tires are not purchased. She also noted that a local weatherman testified the road wasn’t wet enough that night to induce hydroplaning, and she said driver error was the main causative factor in the accident.
Michelin plans to appeal, the spokeswoman said.
Carey Wicker, the New Orleans attorney who represented Ms. Boudreaux, could not immediately be reached for comment.
____________________________________
what a crock. dern lawyers and our system! its the drivers fault!
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