MARSHALL - Claiming the vehicle failed to protect him, the driver of a GMC truck has filed a lawsuit against General Motors after he was involved in a car crash.
Christopher Roberts filed suit against GM on Aug. 19 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.
The wreck occurred on March 20 as Roberts was driving a 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 truck northbound on Highway 37, when he was struck by another vehicle.
Roberts claims he sustained serious injuries when the vehicle failed to protect him and the occupant space was compromised.
General Motors is accused of knowing that the vehicle's crash survival space was compromised which violates principles of crashworthiness and that the vehicle was not designed to withstand frontal offset impacts. In addition, the vehicle's toe board, footwell and lower leg space were destroyed, the vehicle failed to distribute and channel energy properly and failed to provide adequate protection to the lower torso and femurs, the lawsuit alleges.
Roberts also argues that the defendant failed to conduct proper tests and proper engineer analysis and the vehicle violated crashworthiness principles which rendered the other safety systems ineffective.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement, loss of consortium, interference with daily activities, reduced capacity to enjoy life, medical expenses, lost wages, actual damages, interest and court costs.
Roberts is represented by E. Todd Tracy and I. Scott Lidji of The Tracy Firm in Dallas.
Case No. 2:11-cv-00366