Jury Awards $18 Million in Ford Explorer Rollover Case

By Amy Teeple

Published on August 10, 2006

The lawsuit was filed against Ford, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., and D&D Motors. It claimed that the Ford Explorer’s seatbelts and cruise control system were not safe.

According to testimony, on December 11, 1999, Sonya Watson, then 17, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer when a malfunction in the cruise control system caused the SUV to accelerate on its own. Unable to reduce the vehicle’s speed, Watson lost control and the SUV eventually rolled over, ejecting its passengers.

Jurors decided that a defect in the cruise control system caused the accident, but they dismissed the lawsuit’s allegations against seatbelt manufacturer TRW.

Watson, left a quadriplegic after the crash, was awarded $15 million. Watson’s aunt, Patricia Carter, was killed in the accident. The jury awarded her estate $3 million.

Outside of the courtroom, Watson said that no amount of money could make up for the loss of the ability to use her arms and legs. She also said she hopes that Ford will learn a lesson from the lawsuit.

Ford said it will likely appeal the $18 million verdict.

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