An automotive engineering expert witness testified this week in the federal lawsuit two Minnesota families brought against Toyota. While the Koua Fong Lee and the Trice-Adams families argue that a defect with Lee’s Camry caused a deadly crash in 2006, Toyota says the accelerator pedal shows it was pushed down during the crash and that Lee mistook the brake for the accelerator.
Older model Toyotas were not included in the carmaker’s massive recall after sudden acceleration problems. Toyota was fined $1.2 billion in 2014 by the Justice Department after prosecutors said Toyota’s tried to conceal the problem of sudden acceleration in its vehicles. The case will go to the jury next week.
The National Transportation Safety Board is offering a new course for Legal Professionals, NTSB Investigations: What Legal Professionals Need to Know, to be held March 5-6, 2015, at the NTSB’s Training Center in Ashburn, Va.
This two-day course will provide participants with the foundational knowledge needed to advise clients about the statutory framework that defines NTSB investigations, and the regulations, rules and practices NTSB follows in conducting its investigations. Emphasis will be on understanding the legal reasoning through facilitated and interactive discussions of issues that commonly arise during the course of NTSB investigations. Participants will also learn practical techniques to use when engaging with NTSB investigators, as well as important information regarding assistance to victims’ families.
Acting NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart is scheduled as a keynote speaker and participants will also have an opportunity to hear from NTSB attorneys and investigators, as well as attorneys from prominent law firms and aircraft manufacturers.
Registration is now open for the course. Tuition rates increase after February 3, 2015. The registration link for the course is available on the course page:
The NTSB will provide the information required to obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit from participating states.
Information about the NTSB Training Center, course registration information and a complete listing of all public courses offered is available at:
NTSB Training Center: 571-223-3900
Contact: NTSB Public Affairs 490 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20594
Keith Holloway (202) 314-6100 keith.holloway@ntsb.gov