Class actions have been filed against BMW by unhappy owners of vehicles with automatic “Soft Close” doors. These lawsuits are not seeking compensation for injuries. Instead, they are seeking compensation for everyone who owns a BMW with defective doors.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting BMW induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by the automatic door opening suddenly, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Automotive & Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
BMW Automatic Quiet Doors
BMW “Soft Close” or “Comfort Access” doors are designed to automatically pull themselves shut and latch when the door is within 6mm of the frame of the vehicle. This is designed to reduce noise.
What is the Risk?
The door may appear to be latched when it is not actually latched. It may open unexpectedly by leaning on the door or road conditions, ejecting the driver or a passenger. The problem increases the risk of a collision, as well as the risk of injury and death if it causes a crash.
BMW 7-Series Door Recall
Over 45,000 7-Series BMWs were recalled in May 2017 after reports of the automatic doors flying open unexpectedly on the road. BMW blames the problem on a faulty sensor in the latch of the door handle.
The recall involves the following BMW 7-Series vehicles from the 2005-2008 model years with “Comfort Access” or “Soft Close” automatic doors:
- 745i
- 745Li
- 750i
- 750Li
- 760i
- 760Li
- B7 Alpina
BMW Door Class Action Lawsuit
In January 2016, a class action lawsuit (PDF) was filed by Kieva Myers, a mom in California who accidentally locked her young child in a 2013 BMW X5 when the “Comfort Access” doors shut automatically. The lawsuit is Myers v. BMW of North America — Case No. 3:16-cv-00412.
BMW Door Injury Class Action Dismissed
In April 2017, a California judge dismissed a class action lawsuit (PDF) from three people who suffered finger injuries from the BMW “Soft Close” automatic doors. Instead of seeking compensation for their injuries, they accused BMW of misleading owners into buying cars without finger-sensing technology. The case is Azouli v. BMW of North America — Case No. 5:16-cv-00589
What BMWs Have Automatic Doors?
BMW offers the “Soft Close” automatic door feature on these vehicles:
- 2002 – 2016 BMW 7 Series
- 2004 – 2016 BMW 6 Series Coupe
- 2004 – 2016 BMW 6 Series Convertible
- 2008 – 2016 BMW X5
- 2009 – 2016 BMW X6
- 2010 – 2016 BMW 5 SeriesGT
- 2011 – 2016 BMW 5 Series
- 2013 – 2016 BMW 6 Series GC
- M models of all named vehicles
What is the problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but our trial attorneys are not filing a class action lawsuit against BMW. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits for people who were injured by defective “Soft Close” or “Comfort Access” automatic doors.
About Class Actions
Class actions are useful when a lot of people are seeking compensation for a relatively minor legal claim — for example, reimbursement for lost resale value on a car with a defective feature. Everyone who joins the lawsuit shares the jury payout or settlement.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
Class actions can have disadvantages for people with serious injuries. They may have to accept a “low-ball” settlement or higher attorneys’ fees. This is why our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits instead of a class action. If you were injured by the automatic doors on your BMW opening suddenly, we may be able to help you seek compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, and more.
Do I have a BMW Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting BMW induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by the automatic door opening suddenly, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Automotive & Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
