Replacement Bumper Liability

[hammersley]

I wonder - is there any liability for installing a HD front bumper in case of an accident, i. e. can you be sued for increasing damage and/or injury due to a non-standard bumper? I have my opinion - but was wondering if this is like being my own warranty station when you bomb. If so - this is one I don't want to have!

 

[Ramboy]

I can't believe just a bumper would be as bad as a deer guard. We have thousands of vehicles with guards here in Tx and have never heard of anyone being sued because of one.

Phil

 

[RottnDogue]

Originally posted by hammersley

I wonder - is there any liability for installing a HD front bumper in case of an accident, i. e. can you be sued for increasing damage and/or injury due to a non-standard bumper? I have my opinion - but was wondering if this is like being my own warranty station when you bomb. If so - this is one I don't want to have!

You can be sued for ANYTHING, as long as the dumbsh** finds a DumbS*** Lawyer (What's that called when you use two words that mean the same thing? )



Darren

 

[WKener]

I lived in Texas for years, and it seems that almost everybody has a bumper or grill guard of some sort, but I have never heard of any kind of lawsuit over excess damage, etc.



I have a Ranch Hand front grill guard and a pretty hefty rear replacement, and I wouldn't own a truck without them now... I have hit 3 deer in the past 2 years down in TX, none of them doing any damage to the front end whatsoever (except a slightly bent license plate) ... That is reason enough for me to keep it.



I have also been rearended once by some guy in a little Honda, he couldn't have been doing over 10-15mph, but I was stopped, and he planted himself right underneath the rear of my truck. My rear bumper took the impact without even scuffing it, and the Honda was pretty ugly-lookin' after that.



Just from my own experience, I easily justify the possibility of extra damage to another vehicle that may result from my truck's HD bumpers, simply due to the insurance (and peace of mind) it gives me.

 

[THerman]

I would have to agree with 'Dog on this one... .



If someone can sue McDonald's when they spill hot coffee on themselves, than anything COULD happen.



I would doubt if it would..... but who know's now'a'days?

 

[me4osu]

Ranch Hand Replacements

The way I see it. If the lives of my wife, kids and myself are at stake, when a drunk crosses center or pulls out right in front of me, I would MUCH rather be the hammer than the nail.

 

[TomGolden]

Well, since I have personal first hand experience here, I wanted to share it with everyone. Back in very early 1998 I was involved in an accident. I was driving my 1987 Ford F250 Diesel with a semi-heavy duty front replacement bumper. I say semi-HD because it wasn't anywhere near as heavy duty as the Denver Off Road bumber I am getting for Godzilla (like the one Earthroamer has). Anyway, it was a rainy, slippery night and I came around a blind corner to find a red traffic light at an intersection and a mid 1980's Honda Civic sitting at the light. I locked up all 4 wheels, but since I was going 25 MPH and there was less than 60 feet between me and the Honda, I ended up rear ending it. I caved in the entire back end if the thing, and mangled my front bumper pretty good, but otherwise did no damage to my truck.



Well, even though the young girls in the Honda all got out faster than I did, and all claimed they were uninjured, several months later I was served a lawsuit at work from the accident. The driver's parents had decided to sue me. At the trial, I specifically asked my lawyer to ask all the prospective jurors if any of them had any type of prejudices against "those big, heavy vehicles" like SUV's or large pickup trucks. They all said "no". I attended every moment of the trial, and not once did anyone on either side bring up the sizes of either vehicle or anything related to my bumper, or anything about either vehicle, except to state for the record what types of vehicles were involved, who was driving, etc.



And this was in great liberal, litigation crazed California!



So, in this case at least, my bumper had no bearing in the case at all.



Tom

 

[Deezul1]

My last Dodge had someone back into the front bumper,(the stock one) and the damage was so little that I didnt see it at first and it turned out to be $1400 worth. I was lucky and the guy left his name and number and his ins took care of it. Thats a good reason for a hefty bumper as a lot of people arnt that honest it would come out of my pocket.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Good question. I think it's unlikely that they would win more than than the limits of you insurance liability, but I'm no expert. I have a feeling that they would more likely go after the manufacturer. In most cases they would have more insurance (product liability).



Dave.

 

[redram]

The issue might be more of the bumper height varying radically from stock. In other words, if someone has raised or lowered a vehicle radically, I believe that in some states, this could be an issue and could come into play in a serious lawsuit, ie one involving fatalities. It would most likely require the offender to be issued a citation by law enforcement at the time of the incident, kind of like having faulty tail lights, etc.



Just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[RottnDogue]

I will restate my earlier response with more detail.



If a person can find a lawyer to sue you, a person can sue you for anything! ANYTHING! Question is will they win? We'll that's up to a Judge (whether the case will even be heard) and up to both Jury & Judge whether they will win. But can you be Sued? Yes!



Darren

 

[EScott]

My lifes motto:



'rather be tried by twelve than carried by 6'



Can't be sued if your dead right?





Erin

 

[Koa Man]

Originally posted by EScott

[

Can't be sued if your dead right?



Erin [/B]

You can't be sued personally, but they'll go for any assets in your estate.

 

['956Wheel]

its all about...

Its all about fat lawyers in big leather chairs! They can, and will, urge their clients to sue for anything as they have nothing to lose.



My truck is a stock height '95 3500 and the other day some guy in one of those go kart size cars was all bent cause I was "too close to his car at the light" he went on to yak about nobody needs a truck that big and other venting. Mine is for towing and does have a definate use.



The way I see it is the "honda boys" have a problem due to their feeling vulnerable sharing the road with cars and trucks of proper. IMO, size. Nobody forced them to put themselves in harms way!



My question would be are the Daewoo, Honda, Geo etc. corperations responsible for death and/or injuries caused by placing the rear seat over the bumper and under ours!



In closing I would suggest finding a lawyer who drives a 4X4 and enjoys the outdoors if you ever need one regarding this issue.



Mike