A security guard and the owner of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle he was moving have decided to file a damages lawsuit against the German automaker and its South Korean subsidiaries. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 3 (Korea Bizwire) – A security guard and the owner of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle he was moving have decided to file a damages lawsuit against the German automaker and its South Korean subsidiaries, claiming the car experienced sudden unintended acceleration that caused an accident.
Lawyer Ha Jong-sun from the law firm Namu, representing the 77-year-old security guard surnamed Ahn and the 63-year-old Mercedes owner surnamed Lee, held a press conference on the morning of May 2 at the Textile Center in Seoul’s Gangnam district. He announced plans to file civil and criminal lawsuits against Mercedes-Benz’s German headquarters, its South Korean importer Mercedes-Benz Korea, and the dealership Hansung Motor Company.
Ha argued that sudden acceleration was the cause of the accident. He cited several factors as evidence of a potential vehicle system defect, including the vehicle surging backward while the brake lights were on, then lurching forward despite the gear shift not being operated, and an extremely loud noise emanating from the car during the incident.
“Next week, we plan to file a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court seeking compensation for the security guard’s physical injuries and mental distress, losses incurred from losing his job, a refund for the accident vehicle, and repair costs for the damaged cars,” the lawyer stated.
The initial lawsuit amount is expected to be around 300 million won, with repair costs for the damaged vehicles alone estimated at a minimum of 150 million won. The claimed amount may increase as the lawsuit progresses.
Additionally, the legal team is considering filing a criminal complaint with the police against the heads of Mercedes-Benz’s global headquarters and South Korean subsidiary for negligence resulting in injury.
They also intend to ask the court to preserve evidence, including data from the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR), electronic control unit (ECU), and automatic emergency braking system (AEB), which must be provided by Mercedes-Benz.
The accident occurred around 8 a.m. on April 22 when Ahn, working as a security guard at an apartment complex in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, attempted to move Mr. Lee’s double-parked Mercedes. The vehicle first surged backward before lurching forward, colliding with 12 parked cars.
It is reported that the apartment complex kept residents’ car keys at the security office, with guards moving vehicles as needed. Ahn resigned from his job following the incident.
During the press conference, the tearful security guard claimed, “While gently driving with the brakes firmly pressed, the car suddenly and violently ‘banged’ into multiple vehicles before stopping. It was clearly a case of sudden acceleration. I feel so wronged and devastated. The truth must be revealed.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
