Driving with the seat reclined

[SS e93]

Came across this article
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/30/h...ecline-too-fa/

Sarah Goodner was killed in Texas in 2007 when her 2005 Hyundai Tucson rolled over and she was thrown out the back window. The culprit for that odd circumstance – even though she had her seat belt fastened – was her seat, which was reclined so far back that she was able to slide out of it.

Stuart Goodner, Sarah's father, sued Hyundai claiming that the Tucson was unsafe because the seat could be reclined too much. A jury agreed, kind of, awarding Goodner a $1.8 million judgment against Hyundai, but also deciding that Hyundai was only 45% responsible for Sarah's death. Stuart said, "We want people to know how dangerous it is to drive with the seat reclined, [and] we're calling the auto industry out to correct this design defect so that no other family has to bury one of their children."

This is just ridiculous. Why should any car company have to pay because people are idiots. I could understand if the seat failed, and would not stay up causing this to happen. It bothers me so much to see people driving with the seat fully reclined. I do not see how that is at all comfortable, and how you can even see. How can you possibly steer quickly and accurately with your arms fully extended just holding the wheel straight, as well as relying on pulling on the wheel to hold you up. Aside from a regular driving test, people need to pass an idiot driving test as well before getting behind the wheel of a car.

[blue2fire]

Really unfair to Hyundai. But, they probably have the money.

[335fourdoor]

I bet that every vehicle sold has a build-in allowance for liability lawsuits in their msrp.

[94JZA80]

Originally Posted by 335fourdoor

I bet that every vehicle sold has a build-in allowance for liability lawsuits in their msrp.

without a doubt...that being said, Hyundai should not have to pay this woman's family compensation for her own idiocy. i can't stand it when i see some douche copping a fully reclined "thug lean" behind the wheel...

[Muffnbluff]

Next thing you know some moron who drives with their left foot out the window will sue when they get hurt saying the manufacturer shouldn't have windows that allow you to put your foot out while driving.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

Next thing you know some moron who drives with their left foot out the window will sue when they get hurt saying the manufacturer shouldn't have windows that allow you to put your foot out while driving.

+1

fucking stupid. based on this judgement you could misuse anything you buy and sue the manufacturer.

Also, if she slid out the car, the angle of the seat must have been near-horizontal. Wtf why was she driving like that?

[graider]

yeah, the judge is retarded.

saw this guy in the exact same car as mine and recline his seat so far backward and he is like 5.5" tall. how the f can he see driving like that.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by graider

yeah, the judge is retarded.

saw this guy in the exact same car as mine and recline his seat so far backward and he is like 5.5" tall. how the f can he see driving like that.

If you read...Jurors are the ones who agreed on the claim...
Most of them must've thinking....If the the victim won the lawsuit....then if they got into an accident next time....they can get some out of another vehicle manufacturer....

[///M PWR 00]

Welcome to America, the only place something like this could happen.....

[footie]

This is a personal pet hate of mine. The kid next to me drives like this, i.e. barely able to see over the dash and so far he has had 3 accidents in 13 months of driving.

[DougLikesBMW]

Man what the fuck is wrong with this country?

Why can you even sue for that? I'm not sure how cases become approved, but who is the idiot approving cases like this to be heard?

Jury duty = group think. You get 1 charismatic speaker in that group of jurors and he can potentially sway everyone to agree with him. =/

On a side note, my e92 can basically recline the seat to the point where it touches the back seats lol...

[SS e93]

Originally Posted by my92

Jury duty = group think. You get 1 charismatic speaker in that group of jurors and he can potentially sway everyone to agree with him. =/

On a side note, my e92 can basically recline the seat to the point where it touches the back seats lol...

its understandable to have seats reclining that far. especially in a coupe if you need to haul something long through the trunk over the passenger seat. Obviously driver seat has no reason to recline that far, but why change motor/build in a stopper. use two of the same seats and change sides of the controls only. That is true about jury duty and any other group style decision. Unless it is in everyones interest, then people just go the easiest and quickest route.

[marty_mcfly]

Originally Posted by footie

This is a personal pet hate of mine. The kid next to me drives like this, i.e. barely able to see over the dash and so far he has had 3 accidents in 13 months of driving.

agreed. this is one of my biggest pet peeves. i (excuse the language) fucking HATE when people drive like this. it doesnt make you look cool or hard in anyway. doesnt add any cool points to your car either. that one arm over the steering wheel crap is stupid as well (usually the two go together for the ultimate cool guy look).

i mean im not saying you have to drive like those grannies that have their heads over the steering wheel, but damn dont act like you are driving a 300c on 24s either