A woman in Tennessee who lost her son in a car accident is speaking out after General Motors (GM) announced recently that it would be expanding a recall involving 1.37 million vehicles due to an ignition problem.
Shannon Wooten, of Adams, told WTVF-TV that she lost her son Joshua in a 2009 car accident, when she claims that his 2006 Chevy Cobalt began experiencing ignition problems. According to the station, the family thought they had gotten the problems in the vehicle repaired in the months prior to Joshua’s death.
A death report did not conclusively say if the crash that killed Joshua was caused by ignition problems; however, Wooten said that she suspects it may have played a role in the crash and said that she was not notified by GM about the problems.
“If I would have gotten some kind of recall in the mail on it, I would have done something differently,” Wooten said, according to WTVF. “I never would have put my son in the vehicle knowing the steering column was going to lock up.”
GM has come under heavy criticism since the recall was announced, with consumer advocates saying that the company knew about ignition issues dating back to 2004. The vehicle manufacturer said that the ignition on the vehicles could accidentally switch out of the run position while the car is being driven. When this occurs, the vehicle’s engine shuts off, rendering its brakes, power steering and airbags useless.
The recall involves Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s, as well as Saturn Ions, Chevrolet HHRs, Pontiac Solstices and Saturn Sky models. GM has said it would notify owners of vehicles involved in the recall to bring their vehicles to a dealer, which will replace the ignition switch at no charge.
There have reportedly been 13 deaths related to the recall and 31 frontal crashes.
LOCATE A NASHVILLE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), since 1966, more than 390 million vehicles, 46 million tires, 66 million pieces of equipment and 42 million child safety seats have been recalled.
Aside from death, car accidents resulting from defective parts can result in catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or broken bones.
Auto manufacturers must be held liable when their products injure or kill someone. Our Nashville injury attorney will not stop until you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today at (615) 866-3938 for a free consultation of your case.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” – Matthew 28:18
Source: https://money.cnn.com/2014/02/25/autos/gm-ignition-recall-expanded/index.html?hpt=hp_c2