On Sunday morning, February 7, 2007, nine-year old Miranda Courtney was a back-seat passenger in her parent’s 2000 Nissan Xterra. As the Courtney family was on their way to church, the Xterra was struck between the front and rear passenger doors by a GMC pickup. Upon impact, the Xterra caught fire and continued burning. Sitting directly above the fuel tank, Miranda received severe burns to her face, arms, and legs.

Miranda sustained no other injuries as a result of the collision. PMPED brought a product liability action on behalf of Miranda alleging that the Xterra’s body-mount bracket located about 2.5 inches from the fuel tank could puncture the fuel tank if struck in the side. After a two-week trial, a Florence County jury awarded the Courtney’s $2.375 million in actual damages.