Supreme Court Rules That Federal Auto Safety Standards Do Not Bar State Court Lawsuits

Despite its disappointing ruling on vaccine-related lawsuits earlier this week, the Supreme Court just decided another personal injury case that marks a significant victory for victims of negligently designed or manufactured automobiles.

In Williamson v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., a unanimous Court held that state tort remedies are not preempted by federal minimum safety standards.  The Court found that lower courts had expanded such preemption too far in barring state law remedies for dangerous products. 

In Williamson, the victim was killed in a head-on collision because the rear center seat in the minivan she was riding in only had a lap-type seat belt rather than the safer lap/shoulder belt.  The state trial court dismissed the family’s product liability lawsuit against Mazda on the ground that it was preempted by federal motor vehicle safety standards, which allowed automakers the option of installing lap or lap/shoulder belts in the non-window position.  After the state appeals court affirmed the trial court’s decision to dismiss the case, the Supreme Court held that the regulation at issue only established a “minimum standard” and allowed a “continued meaningful role for state tort law.”

This decision will have a significant effect on millions of drivers throughout the country, including Florida residents involved in auto accidents, because over a million vehicles with this type of lap belt are still on the road.  In addition, this decision will likely be used to limit preemption of other minimum federal safety standards in future state court product safety lawsuits.