Jackson v. General Motors Corp.

60 S.W.3d 800 (2001)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

P was driving in an automobile, manufactured by D. P lost control of the vehicle on wet pavement, resulting in the vehicle traveling across the median, through the westbound lanes, across a ditch, and up a bank. The front of the vehicle crashed into a tree. P was injured when his jaw hit the steering wheel of the car. P was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, and P claims that the driver's seat was positioned as far away from the steering wheel as the adjustable seat track would allow. The estimated speed of the vehicle at the time of the crash was 19-23 miles per hour. P sued under products liability. P limited his claim to strict products liability based on the consumer expectation test. D filed a motion for summary judgment which was eventually granted based upon a finding that the ordinary consumer had no basis upon which to form an expectation of the safety provided by seat belts in similar automobile accidents. P appealed, and the Sixth Circuit certified a question of law.