Virginia: Car Accidents – a Lawyer’s Polaris

placeholder image big

The Trial Lawyer is the quarterly legal journal of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Its issue for Summer 2018 is entitled “RESURRECTION OF THE TRIAL LAWYER”. Its lengthy lead article of the same title spans 10 pages. Id. at 56-65.

Another feature article of The Trial Lawyer for Summer 2018 is “POLARIS UTV FIRE DEBACLE RAGES ON DESPITE RECORD-SETTING FINE”. Id. at 38-40. In April, 2018, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) fined – and Polaris Industries, Inc. agreed to pay – $27,250,000.00 for Polaris Ranger and RZR recreational off-road vehicle defect accident reporting, the highest fine ever paid in CPSC history. Id. at 38. Allegedly, Polaris’ design/installation of its high-powered ProStar engine “directly behind the occupant compartment with an exhaust system that is confined to a tight space without adequate airflow” has caused 250 fire accidents, 30 serious injuries, and 3 deaths – with more expected – and spawned a class action and other civil lawsuits. Id. at 38-39. Some monster 4-wheel multi-seat utility vehicle!

Mr. Waterman is a charter member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in Virginia. His law practice focuses on vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and other cases of death and serious personal injuries.