PROTECT CONSUMER JUSTICE.ORG

Toyota’s push to become the world’s No. 1 auto maker once again stands in stark contrast to some sobering numbers involving the unintended acceleration problems that have bedeviled the company’s fleet — and put consumers in harms way.

Washington Post: More than 85 suits relating to head trauma injuries have been combined into one master complaint, with claims including negligence, fraud and wrongful death.

FairWarning.org: Even though the number of annual deaths of motorcycle riders more than doubled from 1997 to 2010, lobbyists for biker groups are asking lawmakers to back away from helmet requirements.

Los Angeles Times: A national report card gave nearly half of U.S. hospitals a grade of C of lower in patient safety.

Los Angeles Times: The software giant is “telling people they can stuff it if they want to join together in exercising their constitutional right to a jury trial,” writes columnist David Lazarus.

Associated Press: The company has agreed to pay $40 million for claims about its shoes endorsed by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke.

California Progress Report: Zack Kaldveer reports on California’s rapidly rising health insurance premium rates and what can be done to slow them.