Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA has asked that 200 sudden-acceleration lawsuits be consolidated into one case to be heard before a federal judge in Los Angeles.

According to Associated Press, Toyota lawyer Cari Dawson argued before a U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in San Diego that the class action, personal injury and wrongful death cases brought against the carmaker should be consolidated.

To date Toyota is facing 138 potential class-action lawsuits and about 97 personal injury and wrongful death claims, AP states. Most of the suits focus on alleged sudden-acceleration glitches in the company's vehicles, which received national attention following this Los Angeles Times report last year.

A decision on consolidation of the suits and a possible centralized venue in L.A. is expected within two weeks.

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