Cape Cod Injury Lawyer Blog
If you are planning a car trip in the near future, you probably have a “to-do” list that includes checking the oil and tire pressure, filling up the gas tank, and washing the windshield. If you happen to drive a General Motors vehicle, you should add another item to your list: making sure your car or truck isn’t among the millions on GM’s most recent recall list.
The latest announcement from the beleaguered auto giant came on Monday, June 30, 2014, and added 7.6 million potentially dangerous vehicles to its previous list of recalls. The latest list includes six different vehicles and model years ranging from 1997 to 2014. Included are:
- 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu
- 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
- 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
- 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS
- 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD
- 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
The Malibu, Intrigue, Grand Am, and CTS were recalled due to a problem with the ignition switch. According to GM, this “inadvertent ignition key rotation” issue has been linked to at least three fatalities. The Silverado has a potential electrical overload issue, and the Rainer has a possible electrical short.
Company Admits Fatalities and Serious Injuries Have Occurred in Vehicles on Recall List
In addition to the three fatalities, GM stated that it was aware of eight injuries and seven crashes in vehicles included on the latest list. The fatalities were in older, full-size sedans that are subject to the recall due to inadvertent ignition key rotation. In issuing the recalls on Monday, GM stated that it had worked aggressively towards identifying all safety issues that would affect its customers and promised to act promptly should other issues come to its attention.
In a separate announcement, GM related that it had a payout plan to compensate those who were injured or had lost loved ones due to the faulty ignition flaw that was the subject of earlier recalls. The plan includes payments in excess of $1 million in fatality cases. GM’s compensation expert, Kenneth R. Feinberg, is in charge of administering the payouts. Feinberg’s previous experience includes leading the 9/11 compensation fund.
How To Find Out if Your Car is on the List
GM has established a website where consumers can type in their vehicle identification number (VIN) and see if it has been recalled. If you own a GM vehicle, you should do this as soon as possible, since some of the defects can cause serious injuries and even fatalities. It is likely that the list of fatalities and injures stemming from the various product defects will continue to rise far beyond the numbers admitted by GM thus far.
If your automobile is on the list affected by ignition switch issues, GM recommends that you take everything off your key ring except the key itself. All other keys and the key fob should be removed. You should also contact a GM dealership about possible repair of the recall issue affecting your car.
If You Need to Speak to An Attorney About a Defective Automobile or Other Product
The latest recalls from GM represent only a small percentage of the potentially dangerous products that make their way into consumers’ hands every year. Cape Cod attorney John C. Manoog III has represented many victims of faulty products and understands the nuances of products liability law, including defective design, failure to warn, and faulty construction. To discuss your case, call 888-262-6664 or use the contact form on this website.
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