The GM Recall Widens As More Troubling Evidence Surfaces

Mississippi car accident lawyer

The GM Recall Widens As More Troubling Evidence Surfaces

Recently, car manufacturing giant General Motors issued a recall for over 2.3 million vehicles.  The recall is due to a defective ignition switch that can cause the engines in defective vehicles to shut off.  It can also prevent the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash.  According to consumer reports, simple acts like using too heavy a keychain or driving your vehicle off road can cause this faulty ignition switch to move out of the “on” position.  This causes the engine to cut off along with all electrical systems.

The ignition switch is linked to over 30 accidents and 12 deaths.  Investigators are additionally examining evidence to determine whether the faulty ignition switch is also associated with an additional 300 fatal accidents in which the airbags of recalled automobiles did not deploy.

The following makes and models are currently affected by the recall:

  • Chevrolet Cobalt, 2005-2007
  • Chevrolet HHR, 2006-2007
  • Pontiac G5, 2005-2007
  • Pontiac Solstice, 2006-2007
  • Saturn Ion, 2003-2007
  • Saturn Sky, 2007

In conjunction with the massive recall, a series of investigations have ensued with the aim of uncovering at what point GM knew of the dangerous problem of the defective ignition switch.  Thus far, evidence has been uncovered that shows GM was aware of the problem as early as 2001 but failed to issue a recall or otherwise alert the recall.  In 2005, GM engineers developed a partial fix to the ignition switch defect that would have cost only $1 per vehicle.  GM, however, made a business decision to decline the repair.

GM’s legal troubles are growing as the Department of Justice has now opened a criminal investigation into why GM waited over 10 years to issue the much needed recall.  The House and Senate are also investigating the issue.

GM’s woes further intensified recently as it was forced to recall an additional 1.6 million vehicles for problems entirely unrelated to the faulty ignition switch.

GM is currently attempting to devise a plan to compensate all automobile accident victims who were injured as a result of the defective ignition switch, regardless of the timing of the accident.  The timing of the accident had become an issue because GM declared bankruptcy in 2009 and could have been absolved of liability for accidents occurring before this time.  However, as of now, it appears GM will honor claims regardless of the year of the accident.  The company’s compensation expert, Kenneth Feinberg, is developing a plan intended to compensate all accident victims.

The company has publically taken responsibility for its actions and states it intends to take responsibility on both civil and legal fronts.  The recall is expected to continue into the summer, as the company struggles to manufacturer enough replacement ignition switches to keep up with demand for the over 2 million vehicles now recalled.

This year alone, GM has issued recalls for a total of 13.8 million vehicles.  These 29 recalls comprise five times the number of cars and trucks that the company sold in the U.S. last year.

Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Assisting All Owners of Vehicles Involved in the GM Recall

The GM Recall Lawyers at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. urge anyone who has been injured in a crash involving a faulty ignition system to contact our firm immediately.  Our experienced defective automobile attorneys will examine your crash and determine whether it was caused by a defective or recalled auto part.  We will then guide you through the legal process to a full recovery.  Our case reviews are always free and confidential.  Call us today at (601) 355-2022 to see how one of our skilled auto accident attorneys can help you.

Giddens Law Firm, P.A.
226 N. President St.
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 355-2022