LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: More testimony gets under way this morning in the first tire defect trial against Bridgestone/Firestone. CNN's Ed Lavandera is at the McAllen, Texas courthouse with the details now on the case.</s>ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The loads of boxes and evidence delivered to a federal courtroom in McAllen, Texas prove the stakes are high. Firestone faces about 400 lawsuits. Until now, every case had been settled out of court. But after this first day of testimony, the tire maker's game plan is clear -- attack the Ford Motor Company.</s>JILL BRATINA, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE CORPORATION: Ford Explorers are designed in such a way that after a tread separation there can be a loss of control.</s>LAVANDERA: In court, Firestone attorneys said tread separation is a common problem with all tires and that it should never lead to deadly accidents. Firestone also argues that Ford should be responsible for a truck's overall safety.</s>BRATINA: When a tread separation occurs, the driver of a vehicle should be able to pull over to the side of the road, get out a spare tire, which is something that comes with every single vehicle, change the tire and continue on their way.</s>LAVANDERA: Ford has already settled with the south Texas family that filed the lawsuit. (on camera): How are you feeling today? (voice-over): Marisa Rodriguez suffered major brain injuries in a rollover accident last year. Her family says she'll be confined to a wheelchair the rest of her life. Family attorneys accused Firestone of putting profits over safety and that the tire maker should have done more to protect customers from the defective Wilderness tires. (on camera): The Rodriguez family is seeking $1 billion in damages. Firestone says it's still willing to settle with the family as long as they can reach what they call a fair deal. But if not, this case will continue and it's expected to last at least two weeks. Ed Lavandera, CNN, McAllen, Texas.
Testimony Continues in Bridgestone Trial