PERSONAL INJURY LAW: Ford wins over Cambron's personal injury suit

April 19, 2010

Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Superior court has ruled in favor of Ford Motor Co. over Cambron's family claim for the February 23, 2006 SUV rollover accident near Lancaster, in which an 11-year-old girl has suffered quadriplegia.

The court rejected David and Alicia Vela Cambron's claim (in behalf of their daughter Priscilla) that was filed in January 2007. The decision was finalized after deliberating for six hours on Thursday.

Bradley Peterson and Warren Platt, Ford's defense lawyers, asserted that driver's negligence by Alicia Cambron caused the accident; The Ford 2002 Explorer Sport Trac is safe to drive.

"Obviously I'm very pleased with the verdict," Defense attorney Bradley Petersen said.

Alicia Cambron, then 46 years old, was heading on 50th Street East at 5 p.m. when she veered to the right to avoid colliding with an oncoming vehicle. She swerved back to the left, and the SUV rolled over on a dirt shoulder.

The crushed roof injured Priscilla's neck, which left her quadriplegic (Spinal cord injury that paralyzes both arms and legs). Alicia Cambron suffered no serious injuries.

Ian Herzog, Cambron's lawyer, maintained that the accident could have been prevented, should the SUV had been installed with Ford's Electronic Stability Control system, along with lower center of gravity, and wider axle track.

Platt explained that Alicia Cambron failed to respond appropriately after avoiding an oncoming vehicle. She should have remained to the right dirt shoulder or slowed down.

Though the Ford SUV lacked the ESC system, it still has the capability to react correctly.