Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Buying a new car from a well-established, trusted manufacturer usually leaves buyers with peace of mind that they are purchasing a safe vehicles for themselves and their families. Most of the time, that is precisely what happens, and the owner of the vehicle does not have to deal with safety threats from the design or manufacture of the car. Yet in some cases, things are not quite right, and safety may be at issue. When these issues are learned, American manufacturers issue recalls so that all other affected vehicles can have the problem fixed.
Usually, these recalls do not occur until the problem becomes known, and generally that means that accidents must first happen. These car accidents can leave passengers injured, or in the worst cases, killed and can leave others behind to suffer losses, whether in Chicago or elsewhere across the nation. Even after a recall is issued, the defect can still present a threat to those who are driving the cars without the problem being rectified, either through a lack of notice of the recall or because their designated time for service had not arrived. Regardless of how the facts fall, if an accident involving a safety flaw or manufacturing error leaves a victim injured, that victim may be entitled to seek relief for his or her injuries.
Auto giant General Motors recently announced a recall for two models of vehicles due to problems with the ignition. Now, the recall has been greatly expanded to cover additional models and additional years of manufacture. In all, 1.37 million GM vehicles have been recalled, including Chevrolet Cobalts, Pontiac G5s, Saturn Ions, Chevrolet HHRs, Pontiac Solstices, and Saturn Skys manufactured between 2003 and 2007.
Officials say that the design of the ignition has led to a problem with power. When the vehicles encounter a particularly large bump, especially when a vehicle is operating off-road, the bump can move the ignition from the “run” position to an “off” position. The change cuts power to the vehicle which therefore does not let certain safety devices, including airbags, function. If a vehicle is involved in an accident when the power is off, the occupants of the car may be more likely to sustain serious injuries or even death. To date, GM is aware of 13 such deaths and 31 accidents linked with these ignition problems.
GM believes that extra weight hanging off the ignition is either causing or contributing to these issues and therefore it recommends that all owners of these vehicles do not drive with excess weight, like key chains, hanging off the key in the ignition until the problem is fixed.
Though this is an example of a car manufacturer correcting a problem to increase the safety of vehicle owners, several accidents occurred before the problem was addressed, and additional accidents are still possible until every car has its ignition repaired or replaced.
If you have been involved in an accident with a defective or recalled vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we have successfully represented many individuals who have been hurt in car accidents in Chicago and across Illinois, and we are ready to help you, too. We are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. We will provide you with a free case consultation without any obligation on your part, and everything discussed will be kept confidential.
If an car accident has left you injured, make sure you get the relief you deserve. Call us today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Musician Todd Harrell Charged with Driving Under the Influence, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published February 19, 2014.
Resource:
GM expands recall, cites 13 deaths, by Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney, published February 26, 2014.