Thirteen ignition switch deaths and many serious physical injuries have been linked to the negligently designed ignition switch which can cause many models of General Motors’ cars to unexpectedly stall, disable air bags, power steering and power brakes. The switches move from the “run” position to the “accessory” position causing power to be cut to key operating and safety systems. Added weight to a key chain can cause the switch to change positions and cause stalls if a pothole or other defect in the road is hit. Without power to these safety and operating systems a crash can be caused and, just as importantly, without air bag deployment injuries suffered will be more catastrophic.
General Motors models included in the recall are: Cobalt, Impala, Camaros, Cadilac DTS, Buick Lacrosse and other popular models, bringing the total number of cars recalled in excess of 20 million.
Recently E-mails were made public from as far back as 2005 documenting that employees of General Motors were aware of the design defect and spoke about the possibility of vehicle recalls, yet did nothing for at least nine years. The employees on this email included the Vice President of North American Engineering. General Motors cars were not recalled until June 2014 as part of an additional recall of 3 million cars for this ignition switch defect.
Victims of the General Motors ignition switch defect gathered in Detroit with lawmakers to denounce the automaker’s lack of concern for the safety of those driving or riding in its cars. Crash victims suffered paralysis and death as a result of the defective switch not only causing an accident but also for failing to allow air bags to deploy upon impact. The victims of these injuries have included young children and teenagers. In 2006 an eighteen and fifteen year-old were both killed in an accident involving a defective ignition switch. General Motors only counts these 2 deaths as a single death because it only counts drivers, not passengers, who are killed in an accident. Additionally, if a crash was caused by a defective ignition switch but the person was killed as the result of a side impact, that person’s death is also not included in the “13 death toll” number.
A $15 Billion Dollar lawsuit was filed in Federal Court in California but does not directly seek compensation for those seriously injured or killed as a result of the improperly designed ignition switch and ensuing cover-up.
A General Motors investigation found that the company had ignored warnings about the deadly defect for more than 10 years. Congressional hearings have been held and additional hearings are expected. Shockingly, the General Motors company engineer who initially approved the defective ignition switch later approved a redesign but did so without changing the part number. This executive has since been pushed out of the company.
A planned compensation fund designed to save the company money defending lawsuits was announced by the Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. Separately, investigations have begun as to whether other car manufacturers have experienced similar ignition switch defects.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury as a result of an accident involving a car that unexpectedly stalled out you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Automobile Accident Lawyer Philip Monier for a free consultation at 212-392-0144 or at pmonier@monierlaw.com.