Boston Auto Accident Attorney at the Law Offices Of Mark E. Salomone Comments on Recent GM Recall of Defective Ignition Switches Linked to Fatal Car Accidents
Boston, MA (PRWEB) April 07, 2014 -- Days after General Motors announced it was recalling 1.6 million vehicles, GM admitted they knew about defective ignition switches linked with 12 deaths and 31 accidents nationwide as early as 2001, the Wall Street Journal reports (3/12/14). Product liability attorney Mark E. Salomone of the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone understands GM is under criminal investigation and hopes the probe into the handling of the defect will send a message to other auto manufacturers that safety is critical.
Commenting on a report in the Wall Street Journal, Attorney Salomone said families who have lost loved ones deserve answers. He added that the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York is taking the right step by investigating the automaker’s handling of complaints about faulty ignition switches.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones,” Salomone said. “Anytime that people die or are injured because of a defective product, it’s extremely important to conduct a thorough investigation. By carefully looking into the problem, investigators can help families get closure and also send a message to other companies that putting the public at risk will not be tolerated.”
Initially, GM claimed it first became aware of the problem in 2004 involving 2005 Chevrolet Cobalts, which turned off if someone accidently bumped the ignition switch, according to the Wall Street Journal. Now, GM admits the company first learned about possible problems with ignition switches in the Saturn Ion in 2001 during the development stage. GM also admits a service technician observed an Ion stall while starting in 2003 due to the weight of several keys on a key ring, the Wall Street Journal reports. The ignition switch was replaced and the case was closed.
But GM officials now know that the defective ignition switches sometimes prevented vehicles’ air bags from deploying, resulting in 12 deaths and 31 car accidents nationwide, according to a New York Times article (3/12/14) about the defective ignition switches. Specifically, some of the vehicles stalled without warning, resulting in fatal car accidents in which the air bag did not deploy, the New York Times reported.
GM’s recall includes the following vehicles, which all have similar defective ignition switches:
• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
• 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
• 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007 Pontiac G5
• 2007 Saturn Sky
Fixing the defective ignition switches will “only cost a few dollars to produce and minutes to install,” the Wall Street Journal reported. GM plans to start replacing the defective ignition switches in April, the Wall Street Journal reported. If owners of such vehicles are not satisfied with this solution, GM has authorized its car dealers in the United States to offer a $500 cash allowance to buy or lease a new GM product, according to the Wall Street Journal.
But such solutions are too little, too late for the families whose loved ones died or were seriously injured in car accidents due to such dangerous defective car parts, according to Mark E. Salomone of the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, with offices in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and other cities throughout Massachusetts.
“Car manufacturers need to get the message that they will be held accountable when their actions result in serious injuries or fatalities,” Salomone said. “That’s why investigations are important. Families deserve answers. As car accident attorneys, we work hard to protect the rights of families who have lost loved ones because of another individual or company’s negligence. If you or a loved one was injured or a loved one was killed in an accident, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of legal counsel. An experienced attorney can help you obtain compensation and also send a message that negligent behavior by individuals and companies will not be tolerated.”
For more information about what to do if you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in due to a defective car part and the legal options available to injury victims, call 800-WIN-WIN-1 (800-946-9461) or complete the online contact form.
The Wall Street Journal article cited is “GM Now Says It Detected Ignition Switch Problem Back in 2001.”
The New York Times article cited is “G.M. Reveals It Was Told of Ignition Defect in ’01.”
About The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
Serving clients throughout Massachusetts, the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone has a renowned reputation for employing experienced, knowledgeable Massachusetts personal injury lawyers who fight vigorously for the rights of injured people. The firm has 10 offices statewide located in Boston, Burlington, Chicopee, Framingham, Holyoke, Northampton, Roxbury, Springfield, Ware and Worcester. The law firm’s areas of practice include auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, fall down accidents, dog attacks, dangerous drugs and other accidents. Attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone work on a contingency fee basis. That means clients only pay if they win.
The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
60 State St.
Boston, MA 02109
(800) 946-9461
http://www.marksalomone.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
Share this article