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Greenville jury awards $18 million in wreck case (Greenville) August 7, 2006 - The verdict is in on the Ford civil lawsuit. The motor company will have to pay millions, but the case isn't exactly a slam dunk. The jury said yes, Ford is to blame for a defective car component, but the driver of a Ford Explorer is also at fault for not wearing a seatbelt. Sonya Watson's wait for justice came six years, seven months and 26 days after the traffic accident that brought her to court, "It's a struggle, but all I can do is leave in the Lord's hands. And he'll take care of it." Wally Fayssoux, the plaintiff's attorney, said, "It's a big fight when you're taking on somebody like Ford Motor Company, so nothing happens quickly." The jury found Ford Motor Company at fault. On December 11, 1999, Watson - then 17 - was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer. The jury agreed with Watson's allegation that a defect in the speed control that caused the SUV to accelerate on its own, and Watson to lose control. Attorney Edward Bell, "The jury didn't know that Ford motor company has received thousands of complaints on this next generation cruise control system. Ford denies they're there. We have evidence they're there. They're all over the country." One passenger, Patricia Carter, lost her life, a fact her family still finds hard to accept. Renard Simpson, Patricia Carter's son, said, "They lost a sweet lady, they lost a lady that was full of love. That's all she wanted to do is see people do right, live right." Watson became a quadriplegic after the SUV flipped, and she and Carter were thrown out. Their families blame a defective seatbelt buckle that came unlatched. The jury, though, didn't agree with that claim. TRW, the seatbelt company, and Ford were not found at fault for a defective seatbelt. Ford spokeswoman Kathleen Vokes spoke to Greenville station WYFF from Michigan, "Our heartfelt concerns go out to those involved in this accident, but this is clearly driver error. This is another tragic reminder that seatbelts can help protect passengers and save lives only when they are worn." The jury awarded Watson's family $15 million and $3 million to Carter's for Ford's negligence, breach of warranty and defective product. "I don't think there will ever be a fair amount because I can't put a price on my legs," said Sonya Watson. Ford can still file motions to object to the verdict. Watson's attorneys say if the verdict stands, the families could wait about 18 months to receive the money. updated 3:41pm by Bryce Mursch with AP, NBC
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