Shades Of 2000 In Rollover Case

In a story which brings back memories of the Ford/Firestone recall rows of 2000/2001, an American motorist is suing both Ford and Firestone for damages, following an accident in August 2006.

Terri Franklin was driving in Texas, when the car in front of her – a 1992 Ford Explorer, driven by Shannon Franklin – blew a tyre, showering her with debris. This allegedly caused Terri Franklin to lose control and flip her vehicle.

Franklin claims the tyre was negligently manufactured by Firestone and filed suit against the company. The suit also faults Ford Motor Co. for equipping the Explorer with the tyre, and further names Shannon Franklin as a defendant. The lawsuit faults Firestone for manufacturing the ATX model tyre and Ford for equipping it as a spare on its vehicles.

Claiming that she was injured when the vehicle rolled over, the plaintiff is suing for punitive damages, plus past and future mental anguish, medical expenses, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages.