Coroner finds no evidence Volkswagen Golf lost power in fatal crash

[hazrd]

I call bullshit



A coroner has found there is no evidence to suggest a Melbourne woman experienced a loss of power in her Volkswagen moments before her car was rear-ended by a truck, and that she was more likely distracted by a telephone conversation.

More here:
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/coroner-finds-no-evidence-volkswagen-golf-lost-power-in-fatal-crash-20131115-2xkvl.html

[poita]

I call bullshit also. Horrible to say but she's not around to fight it.

VW have squirmed out of this somehow

[poita]

So another VW recall

http://www.news.com.au/business/companies/volkswagen-issues-second-major-recall-in-five-months/story-fnda1bsz-1226761008994


Notably, this part.

The vehicles in the latest recall include more than 16,700 Tiguan SUVs because "a fuse may blow … thus resulting in failure of one of the two vehicle light circuits".

About 16,000 Volkswagen Amarok pick-ups are being recalled because "some Amarok utes with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine may be affected by leaks to the fuel pipe within the engine compartment".

Furthermore, about 11,000 Volkswagens across various models equipped with the company's controversial twin-clutch automatic "DSG" gearbox will be recalled because "electric malfunctions could occur in rare cases in the gearbox power supply if synthetic gearbox oil is used".

[hazrd]

I call bullshit also. Horrible to say but she's not around to fight it.

VW have squirmed out of this somehow

Yeah its not something im agreeing with. they are only using the distracted mobile phone result as an easy way out only because it was actually mentioned in the inquiry.

There was a recall on polo gti (my old model) and some golf gti's due to failing coil packs, causing a "loss in power". I wonder if they looked in to that

Im not trying to have a go at VW. I still do like a lot of their cars (GolfR for one). It just seems suspicious considering the circumstances imo

[bpoin007]

The recall was shit. because the women had a manual car and the recall is for the 6 speed automatic. So her car wasn't affected .

[DWS 92]

I'm finding it a bit frustrating working for a VW group company and having to hear about this incident. Yes it was a horrible accident and yes, VW have been having issues with the 7 speed DSG but the two have nothing to do with eachother.

If VW want the public to understand that the DSG gearbox wasn't the cause of the accident then they need to be clearer about the details of the vehicle involved in the crash!

It's just unfortunate timing that the two happened at around the same time.

[JohnBu]

Regardless if it was loss power or even engine braking, the truck was following too closely to brake.

That ultimately was the cause of death, not the fact her car slowed down for whatever reason.

I feel for the family of the deceased, but if they wish to point fingers, they should ask why was the truck driver never charged.

"We are also disappointed that the coroner has focused more on the use of the mobile phone - we admit that Melissa was on the mobile phone - and less on the reason for the deceleration or what caused the deceleration of the vehicle."

I also believe the family would prefer to blame VW due to their deep pockets.

[kabel]

Deep pockets as in been able to seek compensation ?
Could also work against them.

Tend to agree with you though, tailgating is an accepted practice on the roads now.
Ultimately the vehicle behind was responsible regardless.

[JohnBu]

Yes, easier to get money from VW than the truck driver/company.

A lot of companies would just rather pay up than go to court and win. It's a lose lose situation for VW, as mud sticks.

As the coroner has delivered his findings, it'd going to be an uphill battle suing VW now.

Another financial adviser at work was sued by a client without any basis. As we are licensed via CBA, CBA just paid him out as it was cheaper to pay out than go to court even if the client loses! Also the fact CBA don't want the publicity.

Legal costs cannot be claimed from the client even if they lose. It cost my colleague $10,000 for the PI excess, even though he did nothing wrong.

[Shortstuff]

Regardless if it was loss power or even engine braking, the truck was following too closely to brake.

That ultimately was the cause of death, not the fact her car slowed down for whatever reason.

I feel for the family of the deceased, but if they wish to point fingers, they should ask why was the truck driver never charged.

This is absolutely it. VW didn't cause the accident. The truck driver has to be responsible as he couldn't stop in time, unless the driver of the VW changed lanes in front of him while travelling much slower (maybe because she was distracted by the phone?).

Because the family has gone after VW, the focus has been taken off the driver errors almost completely.

[glider]

This is absolutely it. VW didn't cause the accident. The truck driver has to be responsible as he couldn't stop in time, unless the driver of the VW changed lanes in front of him while travelling much slower (maybe because she was distracted by the phone?).

Because the family has gone after VW, the focus has been taken off the driver errors almost completely.

Let's throw the truck driver under the bus shall we? Unless you have all the facts you can't just conclude this.

[Shortstuff]

Let's throw the truck driver under the bus shall we? Unless you have all the facts you can't just conclude this.

Unfortunately I don't think anyone will ever have ALL the facts in this case, but I am very surprised there is no mention of investigating why the truck didn't stop in time.

[Brettie]

Unfortunately I don't think anyone will ever have ALL the facts in this case, but I am very surprised there is no mention of investigating why the
truck didn't stop in time.

If he was travelling too close, He would have been charged..
I would say the investigating crash unit have come to the conclusion he was not at fault..

As a result, the coroner requested a brief to establish the cause of death.
The coroners investigation is not going to go in depth into investigating the truck driver when 'Police specialists' already established and ruled him as a cause..

End result, probably not a good idea to drive on the phone, even more so if you are trying to operate a manual vehicle.

[Elliot_O]

Still kinda suspect that they recalled heaps of cars the day the Coroner announces their findings though...
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/volkswagen-recalls-26-million-cars-20131115-2xklw.html

[Brettie]

What is 'suspect' about it?

woman on phone dies in manual vehicle while travelling at speed. Automatic cars recalled for oil change due to low speed issues.

[Elliot_O]

They're just listing a fair few recalls at the moment, but then again I guess everyone wants to hear about Volkswagen because they have been in the media a large amount for this crash.