Maryland Accident Law Blog
General Motors has not had a good year. Earlier this year, it came to light that the ignition switch in several of the company’s more popular models was faulty, causing drivers to lose control of the car at full speed. At least 13 deaths have been attributed to the faulty mechanism, and countless accidents are suspected to have been caused as well. To make matters worse, evidence has shown that GM may have known about the problems and decided to continue selling the cars anyhow.
The Most Recent Round of Recalls
Earlier this week, GM announced yet another round of recalls, this time covering an additional 2.42 million vehicles. Evidently, that figure covers four different problems in various models, including:
- Airbag problems in certain Cadillac models;
- Shift cable problems in the Chevy Malibu and the Pontiac G6;
- Seat belt problems in the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, and GMC Acadia; and
- A problem with the GMC Sierra HD that can cause the car to catch fire.
These vehicles join the over 2 million others that have been recalled by the car manufacturing giant earlier this year.
So far, GM has agreed to pay over $35 million in penalties for the way in which the car company has handled the safety issues. GM has also promised to revisit the way in which it implements its safety standards.
Recalls Can Only Hope to Prevent Serious Injury
When a car manufacturer issues a recall, it is of little consequence to those who have already been injured or lost loved ones in an accident due to the faulty vehicle. While evidence of a recall does not necessarily mean that an auto manufacturer can be held liable for all damages caused by the recalled part or system, it does signal that there was a problem with the design of the vehicle. If an accident victim is able to show that the manufacturer knew of the defect but continued to produce the vehicle anyway, the plaintiff’s case is only strengthened.
In many cases, accident victims are unaware that there was a problem with the car until a recall is issued. The recall thus acts as a much-needed explanation for why such a tragic accident took place. In these cases, the injured party, or that person’s family, can look to the auto manufacturer for responsibility.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident Due to a Recalled Part?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a car accident that you believe may have been caused by a faulty part in the car, or you are aware that there has been a recall on that specific model, you may be entitled to monetary damages. To find out more about product liability actions in Maryland, and to speak to a dedicated accident attorney, contact the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen have years of experience standing up for injured Marylanders and know what it takes to recover for their clients. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free initial consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Opera Singer Sues Over Career-Ending Injury Allegedly Sustained During Childbirth, Maryland Accident Law Blog, April 29, 2014.
Family of Navy Yard Shooting Victim Re-Files Wrongful Death Suit in Florida Court Maryland Accident Law Blog, May 14, 2014.