Hanson v. XYZ Car Manufacturer (2007) (Los Angeles Superior Court)

$1,225,000.00

This was an overly aggressive passenger air bag case, coupled with a lack of sensor. Plaintiff was a police officer whose vehicle was broadsided. Upon the initial impact, plaintiff was thrown from the driver seat to the passenger seat with his torso across the center console area. The officer was not wearing a seat belt. A second relatively minor impact occurred with the police cruiser and a brick wall which set off the passenger air bag. The air bag caused traumatic brain injury to the officer. The officer lived for close to three years before succumbing to his injuries. The officer's family sued the other driver and the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer paid the majority of the settlement.