Ford Motor Company, in an effort to put the Explorer / Firestone debacle behind it, is moving aggressively to settle many of the personal injury lawsuits filed against the company. Injuryboard.com has learned that Ford settled six such cases today. Such a settlement rate is almost unheard of and signals Ford's acknowledgment that it is at least partly to blame for the hundreds of injuries and deaths that have occurred in its popular Explorer brand SUV. "Ford has committed significant resources to the prompt investigation and resolution of these cases," Ford spokeswoman Susan Krusel said. "We're working to resolve the claims against the company ... and trying to do what's right for everyone involved." Of the six cases settled today, all but one involves Firestone tires recalled last summer.

While company lawyers expressed Ford's condolences to victims and their families, over 200 lawsuits remain pending against the company and Firestone. The exact terms of today's six settlements are unknown as the parties agreed to keep the details confidential. However, according to the victims' lawyers, the settlements are fair in light of the injuries involved.

The government is continuing to investigate nearly 150 auto accident deaths that occurred after Firestone tires experienced tread separations or blowouts. While the victims in today's six cases settled with Ford, they still have lawsuits pending against Firestone. Most commentators believe that both Ford and Firestone are to blame for the hundreds of accidents, as many of them have occurred in Ford Explorers traveling on Firestone tires. The companies continue to blame one another for the problems. Firestone cites the Explorer's lack of stability and Ford's insistence on equipping the Explorer with low-pressure tires. Ford on the other hand contends that the Explorer is a properly designed and safe vehicle, claiming the rollovers are due to Firestone's poor production quality. The court system will be left to apportion the blame.

On today's Ford settlement, one of the Plaintiffs, Medhat Labib said "This money will not bring my family back to me, but I think it shows that Ford is serious in trying to do what it can.''