Between 2014 and 2020, millions of General Motors vehicles were recalled because of a defect found in the vehicles' engines and electrical components. This ignition switch defect was found in Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Buick, and GMC models, and caused cars to shut off without airbag deployment. The primary lawsuits surrounding the GM ignition switch defect took place at the same time. General Motors paid billions in settlements, including a $900 million agreement to resolve a Department of Justice investigation.
In some tragic cases, families of vehicle owners who died in a vehicle accident involving a recalled GM vehicle are filing wrongful death claims against GM. The faulty GM ignition switch has been linked to dozens of deaths and thousands of serious injuries. A Texas woman has even been cleared of a prior homicide conviction after GM acknowledged that the Saturn Ion vehicle driven by the woman was defective. GM has offered at least $1 million to the families of individuals who died due to a defect in a GM vehicle. The automaker estimated expenses related to the recall at $1.2 billion.
While the primary multidistrict litigation (MDL) against General Motors for the ignition switch defect has resulted in major settlements, the danger from defective auto parts remains. In 2020, GM agreed to a $120 million settlement to resolve claims from owners who suffered economic losses.
If you were injured in an accident caused by a sudden loss of power or other vehicle malfunction, you may have a valid claim for compensation. These cases are now typically handled as individual personal injury or product liability claims. The personal injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm D.C. can help you determine your rights.
If you were injured or a loved one was tragically killed in an accident caused by a faulty GM vehicle or any other auto defect, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our Washington D.C. product liability lawyers can help you pursue a claim for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
The General Motors recall of faulty ignition switches applies to millions of vehicles, including the following car models (new models are continually being added to the recall list so please do not hesitate to contact us if your vehicle is unlisted):
GM corporate executives knew about the problems associated with its ignition switches many years ago and the fix would have been inexpensive. Emails obtained by Reuters show that General Motors could have fixed the problem at a cost of $0.90 per vehicle. An internal email at Delphi Automotive, the supplier of the faulty ignition switch, stated that the Chevrolet Cobalt ignition switch was “blowing up in their face.” The New York Times also reported that GM sent dealers an announcement in 2006 warning that the ignition switch could turn off when drivers had heavy key chains.
General Motors paid out billions in penalties and settlements. This includes a $900 million criminal fine, a fund that paid out nearly $600 million for death and injury lawsuits, and hundreds of millions more for other claims.
You can check for any open recalls on your vehicle by entering your VIN on the NHTSA website.
Because the main lawsuits are closed, a new person will not get money from those past settlements. However, if you were recently injured in an accident caused by a suspected defect, you may be able to file a new, individual lawsuit. The compensation in a new case would be based entirely on your specific damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) and is not tied to the old settlement amounts.
The attorneys of The Cochran Firm, D.C. have extensive experience in catastrophic injury lawsuits and have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for their clients. If you or someone you love was in a serious car accident involving a defective GM vehicle, please contact our DC lawyers for a free case review. Because short deadlines may apply to filing a claim, we recommend contacting us at your earliest convenience in order to preserve your rights.
