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People who have been injured in accidents involving smart key fobs or other automobile issues, or family members of loved ones who have died, are welcome to contact a lawyer at the national law firm of Lieff Cabraser.
Case Center
Smart Key Roll-Away Accidents
- Issue: Key ignition defect
Smart key fob technology is used in millions of vehicles by manufacturers including Hyundai, Infiniti, and Lincoln.
There is increasing concern that electronic smart keys for cars, SUVs and other vehicles pose a safety risk to the public. The problem originated when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allowed for the vehicle's engine to be shut-down and key fob removed without first shifting the transmission into park, leading to backover and roll-away accidents.
Replacing conventional metal car ignition keys, the smart key fob devices use an electronic code that enables a vehicle to be started either by pressing a button or inserting the fob into a slot.
Since 1992, automakers have been required under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 to prevent the key from being removed from the ignition unless the transmission is in park, a measure to prevent the accidental roll-away of vehicles. With the popularity of smart keys, the NHTSA expanded its definition to include the electronic codes of smart key fobs.
On February 10, 2011 the New York Times profiled the potentially hazardous smart key fobs, listing the chief concerns as "vehicle roll-away, theft, possible carbon monoxide poisoning and shutting off moving vehicles in the event of an emergency." Lieff Cabraser attorney, Scott P. Nealey, was quoted in the New York Times article, noting "[T]he NHTSA's stance of accepting the electronic code as a key undermined the standard's established goal."
Nealey also pointed out that many automakers addressed the problem with an electronic safeguard requiring the transmission to be in park before the key is removed.
Contact Lieff Cabraser
If you have been injured, or a loved one has been killed in an accidents involving smart key fobs or other automobile issues and would like to learn more about your legal rights, contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
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Please click here to contact a personal injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser about your smart key fob accident or call us toll-free at 1.800.541.7358 and ask to speak to attorney Scott P. Nealey. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
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