This case takes place in California and involves a woman who died as a result of a car accident. The plaintiff was driving on a highway that she was very familiar with. While plaintiff was driving at approximately 45 MPH on dry and clear conditions, the car entered a curve and instead of turning as directed, proceeded in an essentially straight direction. The car traveled for a significant distance before it impacted a tree. It is alleged that the hydraulic power steering on the vehicle being operated by defendant is essentially similar to the hydraulic power steering found on a line of cars which was recently recalled for a similar issue. It is claimed that this vehicles power steering was defective in its design in that the power steering would experience a malfunction, making the vehicle difficult to maintain steering control and causing the vehicle to veer off the course intended by the driver. A number of expert witnesses with specialties in automobile product liability and hydraulic engineering were sought to opine on this case, where the manufacturer of the car was sued under the state’s Lemon Laws.
