General Motors announced that it has agreed to compensate the families of 19 people who died in wrecks caused by its faulty ignition switch. It has already received 107 claims for wrongful death — far more than the 13 deaths it admitted that it caused.
Hundreds of injury claims have also been filed since GM began accepting them on August 1st. Claims must be filed by December 31st. Only front-impact crashes in which airbags failed to deploy will be considered, although pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles are also eligible.
Several hundred lawsuits have been filed against GM. The company knew about the dangerous problem back in 2004 but it chose to do nothing. It wasn’t until a sole practitioner filed a lawsuit in Marietta, Georgia on behalf of the parents of Brooke Melton, who died in 2010, that he uncovered the truth and GM admitted wrongdoing.
If someone files a damage claim, he relinquishes his right to file for damages in court, where a jury might award more compensation. GM has to be worried that verdicts will be enormous. Punitive damages alone could be astronomical. The choice to file a claim or a lawsuit is complicated and legal advice is highly recommended.
Which Vehicles Are Involved?
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Chevy Cobalt 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Pontiac Solstice 2007, 2008, 2009, and -2010 Pontiac G5 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010-2011 Saturn Sky 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Chevrolet HHR 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Saturn Ion 2005-06 Pontiac G4 2007-2009 Deawoo G2X 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Opal / Vauxhall GT 2005-06 Pontiac Pursuit 2004-08 Chevrolet Malibu 2005-08 Pontiac G6 2007-08 Saturn Aura 2009-14 Buick Enclave 2009-14 Chevrolet Traverse 2009-14 GMC Acadia full-size crossovers 2009-10 Saturn Outlooks 2015 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2015 GMC Sierra
Legal Rights of Those Who Have Been Injured by Defective Cars
Automakers like General Motors have a legal duty to produce cars that are safe and must immediately fix any known safety defects. Damages in personal injury lawsuits against auto manufacturers include
* Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
* Medical expenses;
* Loss of earnings and wage earning capacity; and * Punitive damages
We Can Help You
The GM recall lawyers at Berenson Injury Law and other law firms we are working with are reviewing potential cases for individuals and their families who suffered a personal injury or wrongful death as a result of one or more of the following events happening:
— Vehicle suddenly shutting off
— Loss of steering
— Loss of brakes
— Failure of airbags to deploy
Compensation may be available through a GM lawsuit settlement. This is true even if the collision happened many years ago, which most did.
To see if you or a loved one may be eligivle to file a claim or lawsuit, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Related posts:
GM Ignition Switch Nightmare Deepens; Settlement Proposed
GM Latest Auto Maker To Cover Up Fatal Wrecks Caused By Defective Cars