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We have defended the world’s major auto manufacturers in hundreds of cases.

Automakers are often a big target for litigation, so it’s crucial to have skilled attorneys who are knowledgeable about the nuances of the industry and the claims brought against it. For nearly three decades, Lightfoot has represented a variety of clients across the automotive sector. We regularly defend automobile manufacturers — as well as their component suppliers — in high-stakes commercial, product liability and catastrophic injury litigation.

We have litigated more than 600 cases for both foreign and domestic automobile manufacturers. Our attorneys defend major companies against claims alleging an array of defect theories involving air bag systems, seat belt systems, seat backs, door latches, vehicle structure and crashworthiness.

Active safety systems such as lane departure, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control first debuted in commercial vehicles. For many years, our attorneys have defended these modern technologies for a variety of clients in the commercial sector. Thanks to our deep understanding of these systems, we are well-prepared to defend similar litigation in passenger vehicles. As self-driving cars and other autonomous vehicle technologies become a reality, Lightfoot’s seasoned bench is equipped to handle the inevitable legal issues they will bring.

Our firm also has decades of experience handling a variety of commercial transportation claims involving heavy trucks, buses, trains and more. Learn more about our Commercial Transportation practice here.

Representative Matters

Representing a prominent automobile manufacturer facing allegations involving the alleged sale of trucks with a defect resulting in excessive oil consumption and subsequent engine damage. Successfully navigated the complexities of a cross-jurisdictional class action and secured a motion for summary judgment, with the judge conclusively ruling in favor of our client, dismissing all allegations.

Securing a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a $7 million wrongful death case in which the plaintiff alleged a defective seat belt system and window. After deliberating for less than two hours, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client.

Obtaining a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a personal injury trial in which the plaintiff claimed more than $44 million in damages. After eight days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of our client.

Securing the reversal of a $14 million jury verdict against an auto manufacturer in a personal injury case in Virginia.

Obtaining a win in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit while affirming a trial court order granting our client, an auto manufacturer, its motion for summary judgment in a product liability action claiming that a defect in the plaintiff’s motorcycle caused an accident that paralyzed the plaintiff from the waist down.

Defending a product liability death case against an auto manufacturer in Alabama. The plaintiff’s lowest settlement demand prior to trial was $600,000 and our offer was $100,000. The jury returned a verdict in favor of our client.

Defending an auto manufacturer in a product liability case in which the plaintiff claimed that the vehicle went out of control due to a steering system defect, which subsequently was the subject of a recall. After a week-and-a-half trial, the plaintiff asked the jury for a total award of $2.25 million. The jury returned a verdict for our client on all counts.

Prevailing in a catastrophic injury case in Alabama in which the plaintiff contended that our client, an auto manufacturer, had developed a vehicle that was not crashworthy. The plaintiff claimed more than $17 million in past and future medical damages, more than $27 million in total compensatory damages, and punitive damages. After eight days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of our client.

Securing a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a catastrophic injury case involving one of its vehicles. The jury was asked by the plaintiffs to award $15 million in damages. The jury deliberated for two hours before rendering a verdict for our client.

Serving as lead counsel to secure a reversal from the Virginia Supreme Court on the grounds that the testimony from the plaintiff's airbag expert lacked an adequate foundation.

Convincing the Alabama Supreme Court to reverse a trial court order on the grounds that it did not provide sufficient protection for commercially sensitive airbag system technology.

Defending an automotive company in a wrongful death case in which the plaintiff alleged a defective seat belt system resulted in liver laceration and death.

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We have defended the world’s major auto manufacturers in hundreds of cases.

Automakers are often a big target for litigation, so it’s crucial to have skilled attorneys who are knowledgeable about the nuances of the industry and the claims brought against it. For nearly three decades, Lightfoot has represented a variety of clients across the automotive sector. We regularly defend automobile manufacturers — as well as their component suppliers — in high-stakes commercial, product liability and catastrophic injury litigation.

We have litigated more than 600 cases for both foreign and domestic automobile manufacturers. Our attorneys defend major companies against claims alleging an array of defect theories involving air bag systems, seat belt systems, seat backs, door latches, vehicle structure and crashworthiness.

Active safety systems such as lane departure, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control first debuted in commercial vehicles. For many years, our attorneys have defended these modern technologies for a variety of clients in the commercial sector. Thanks to our deep understanding of these systems, we are well-prepared to defend similar litigation in passenger vehicles. As self-driving cars and other autonomous vehicle technologies become a reality, Lightfoot’s seasoned bench is equipped to handle the inevitable legal issues they will bring.

Our firm also has decades of experience handling a variety of commercial transportation claims involving heavy trucks, buses, trains and more. Learn more about our Commercial Transportation practice here.

Representative Matters

Representing a prominent automobile manufacturer facing allegations involving the alleged sale of trucks with a defect resulting in excessive oil consumption and subsequent engine damage. Successfully navigated the complexities of a cross-jurisdictional class action and secured a motion for summary judgment, with the judge conclusively ruling in favor of our client, dismissing all allegations.

Securing a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a $7 million wrongful death case in which the plaintiff alleged a defective seat belt system and window. After deliberating for less than two hours, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client.

Obtaining a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a personal injury trial in which the plaintiff claimed more than $44 million in damages. After eight days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of our client.

Securing the reversal of a $14 million jury verdict against an auto manufacturer in a personal injury case in Virginia.

Obtaining a win in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit while affirming a trial court order granting our client, an auto manufacturer, its motion for summary judgment in a product liability action claiming that a defect in the plaintiff’s motorcycle caused an accident that paralyzed the plaintiff from the waist down.

Defending a product liability death case against an auto manufacturer in Alabama. The plaintiff’s lowest settlement demand prior to trial was $600,000 and our offer was $100,000. The jury returned a verdict in favor of our client.

Defending an auto manufacturer in a product liability case in which the plaintiff claimed that the vehicle went out of control due to a steering system defect, which subsequently was the subject of a recall. After a week-and-a-half trial, the plaintiff asked the jury for a total award of $2.25 million. The jury returned a verdict for our client on all counts.

Prevailing in a catastrophic injury case in Alabama in which the plaintiff contended that our client, an auto manufacturer, had developed a vehicle that was not crashworthy. The plaintiff claimed more than $17 million in past and future medical damages, more than $27 million in total compensatory damages, and punitive damages. After eight days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of our client.

Securing a defense verdict for an auto manufacturer in a catastrophic injury case involving one of its vehicles. The jury was asked by the plaintiffs to award $15 million in damages. The jury deliberated for two hours before rendering a verdict for our client.

Serving as lead counsel to secure a reversal from the Virginia Supreme Court on the grounds that the testimony from the plaintiff's airbag expert lacked an adequate foundation.

Convincing the Alabama Supreme Court to reverse a trial court order on the grounds that it did not provide sufficient protection for commercially sensitive airbag system technology.

Defending an automotive company in a wrongful death case in which the plaintiff alleged a defective seat belt system resulted in liver laceration and death.

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