Front-End Collision Leads to Lawsuit Against Van Maker

Marshall, TXBillie R. Price was riding as in a GMC conversion van as a passenger when a pickup truck suddenly crossed the center line and collided with the van. Price was injured in the Texas car crash and she believes that it is the conversion package contained in the van that did not protect her in the crash.

On March 20, 2008, a product liability lawsuit against the conversion package's manufacturer, Explorer Vans Inc. was filed by Price in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

The lawsuit says that on October 20,2006, Price was a passenger in the 2005 GMC van that was traveling northbound on a Shelby County highway. Suddenly, a Dodge Dakota that was southbound crossed the center line and struck the van. Due to injuries sustained in this accident, Price believes that it was the failure of the conversion package that allowed her and other passengers in the rear of the vehicle to become injured. She alleges that the company's negligence in the constructing of the conversion package is responsible.

The design defects that she states is the cause is devices to protect the occupant that are defective and ineffective, safety restraints that are inadequate in case of frontal collisions, adequate warnings that are not provided because of issues with the rear seat latch, the seat latch is constructed in such a way that the occupant does not know if it is really latched, and overall interior components failure.

Conversion vans are manufactured as bare and windowless and weigh anywhere from a half ton to � of a ton and can be designed to the owner's specifications. These vans are frequently used for those with wheelchairs, camping, and luxury seating. The company that constructed the conversion package, Explorer Vans Inc., produces around 5,000 vans per year. This makes it the largest manufacturer of conversion packages.

The damages being sought are in excess of $75,000 for pain, medical expenses, loss income, mental anguish, nursing services, disfigurement of household services, prejudgment interest, attorney fees, and disfigurement.

Judge John T. Ward will see the case.

By Ginger Gillenwter