In the auto industry, it never rains, it pours. Towards the end of a year that has seen more than its fair share of car recalls, multi million dollar lawsuits against motor companies and some soiled reputations, comes another whopper of a downpour. This time it involves one company that has been normally regarded as having better than average safety standards when it comes to its vehicles.

A whistleblower at a Toyota/GM joint venture plant has alleged that managers at the plant frequently allowed cars with defects to go out in the market without being fixed. These defects include malfunctioning seat belts and brakes, defective headlights and faulty wheel alignment.

The treatment meted out to the woman, Katy Cameron, by Toyota, a company that’s normally acclaimed for its transparency, is shocking. According to her, she has been harassed by company managers to the point where she is currently under extreme stress and being treated for depression.

It was earlier insisted that none of these defects had been linked to an accident. Now it seems that might have been a matter of chance rather than an indication of the vehicle’s safety. Toyota is facing lawsuits in California relating to two accidents that might have been caused by its defects. In one of them, the family of a man who was killed when he was trapped in his seat belt during an engine fire, has filed a lawsuit against the company. The victim’s son claims that during an engine fire in his Toyota, while he was able to escape, he was unsuccessful in getting the seat belt off his father resulting in his death.

An accident like this is a terrible tragedy, and when seen in the context of managers at the plant, allowing cars with defects including broken seat belts to roll out of the shop floor, it crosses the line from being a tragedy to a heinous crime.

Toyota is sticking to its “we were not responsible” line, and says the facts should come out when the case proceeds to trial.

If you or a loved-one has been injured or killed as the result of a defective car, contact the California personal injury lawyers at The Reeves Law Group immediately for a free consultation.