A couple in Texas have been awarded $42 million after they were severely injured because of shoddy repairs made to their Honda Fit.
In December 2013, Matthew and Marcia Seebachan were hit head-on by another motorist. Matthew was trapped inside the burning Honda and suffered fourth-degree burns, was stuck in hospital for three years and continues to suffer from excruciating pain.
Upon hiring lawyer Todd Tracy, it was discovered that the Honda Fit they’d purchased used had previously been repaired after hail damage. However, the company which conducted the repairs, John Eagle Body Shop, glued on a replacement roof rather than welding it. Tracy alleged that this meant the doors were wedged shut in the crash and the fuel tank subsequently ruptured.
Additionally, it was discovered that none of the repair work was listed in the vehicle’s history.
Upon hearing about the verdict and the payout, the Seebachan’s told Fox 4 News that it wasn’t just about the money.
“That’s really what the verdict meant to us is hearing someone tell us what we’ve been through matters. And it matters not just us, but it matters for other people,” Marcia said.
Tracy is now suing State Farm Insurance, claiming that the company pressured the John Eagle Body Shop into performing the untested repairs.