Wisconsin woman awarded $10,800 in SUV rollover suit

By Jim Greene

Published on August 10, 2005

In the suit filed by Althea Davis and her husband, Ronnie Davis, they claimed that faulty design of the SUV caused the May 4, 2000 accident on Interstate 220 in Madison County, which left her with severe injuries, including a pronounced limp and the need to use a cane to walk.

In their response, Ford attorneys denied the vehicle was to blame. They said the driver of another vehicle, which Davis swerved to avoid, was responsible. The jury said that Ford and the other driver shared equal responsibility.

Davis said the SUV began to roll over as she tried to steer it back to a straight course after swerving. She was not successful and was ejected before the vehicle wound up on the median strip. Her suit claims the SUV rolled over because the wheelbase is too narrow, and that the vehicle is too tall, result in a dangerously high center of gravity.

Davis was hospitalized for 12 days after the accident.

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