BELLEVILLE — A motorist is suing a car dealership after her Mustang convertible's airbag failed to deploy during a collision in Florida.
Janelle R. Benning filed a complaint on Sept. 13 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ford Motor Company and Auffenberg Ford Inc., alleging they failed to inspect the vehicle to determine whether its airbag module had been properly restored or replaced.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on March 8, 2017, she was involved in a rear-end collision in Florida while driving a 2008 Ford Mustang convertible she purchased from the defendants' dealership on May 28. 2016. She alleges the airbag failed to deploy in the collision.
As a result, she claims she sustained injuries to her head, jaw, mouth and teeth. She also claims she suffered brain damage, loss of memory and difficulty speaking.
Benning alleges she incurred past medical expenses in excess of $839,431 and future medical expenses in excess of $200,000.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they negligently sold a convertible that was in an unreasonably dangerous condition due to a defective airbag system, the suit states.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants in a fair and reasonable amount, plus costs. She is represented by David M. Duree of David M. Duree & Associates PC in O'Fallon.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-599