Driving is such an integral part of our lives today. It’s an inescapable part of our daily routine. And like many appliances, machinery and technology we use, we expect them to be manufactured to the highest standards and with warranties in place to protect us. The outcry over General Motors (GM) and certain cars with faulty ignition switches, is now before a federal court, with the first case underway in New York.If you suspect that a faulty mechanism in a GM manufactured car, caused serious injury to you or a loved one, speak with a personal injury attorney today who can determine if a legal case has the merits to proceed which could mean a cash award if you are successful.
The Fault and Knowledge
GM was recently fined 900 million dollars as a result of a criminal suit for deaths that that arose from certain makes and models with faulty ignition switches. 124 people died behind the wheel of cars with this defect. The defect lead to cars actually shutting off in the midst of being driven, disabling the airbag, power steering and power brakes. This is clearly serious defect putting innocent lives in harm’s way.Disturbingly, the ignition defect was known to the company years in advance of the actual recall being issued. And while civil cases involving serious injuries and death have been settled, personal injury and wrongful death suits in the hundreds have now commenced.
Federal Regulation - The Process of Recalls
The National Highway and Transportation Department (NHTSA) is tasked with overseeing the automotive industry and ensuring proper safety standards are maintained to protect consumers.Usually NHTSA technical experts investigate to deem whether or not an issue exists that would warrant the issuance of a recall. However, in some instances a manufacturer voluntarily implements a recall but in others they are court ordered. If a manufacturer discovers a defect, they are obliged to notify NHTSA, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. In this highlighted case, GM knew of the defect but did not notify NHTSA in a timely manner.
Caring and Experienced Legal Counsel
When you get behind the wheel, you may encounter several potential incidents due to distracted, drunk impaired or speeding drivers. What if the very car you are sitting in can put you at risk for catastrophic injury or harm? That is the case with GM and several vehicles that had a faulty ignitions switch that led to deaths and injuries. GM has been noted to have not filed the recall as promptly as they should have, made claims that the problem was not pervasive enough to be a safety concern and possibly putting profits and reputation above the safety of loyal customers. To know that the fix could have only cost as little as one dollar, is a slap in the face of the loved ones left without theirs.
If you or someone you know experienced a possible ignition switch defect in a GM Chevrolet, Saturn or Pontiac and suffered a serious injury call the Arlington Heights personal injury lawyers at Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC today. The consultation is personalized to suit your needs, and the advice is invaluable. If you decide to move forward, we will fight to get you the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/nyc-trial-underway-gm-ignition-switch-recall-case-36229228
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/Consumer+Alert:+GM+Ignition+Switch+Recall+Informationhttp://theweek.com/speedreads/455632/gm-didnt-fix-ignition-defect-because-have-cost-1