Updating the massive General Motors vehicle recall story that we have been blogging about recently, the company has reportedly received another 33 claims for compensation for ignition switch defects in its vehicles over the past month, bringing the total number of claims to 4,345.
According to Reuters, GM’s numbers come directly from its compensation program administrator. As of February 21, the company received 479 claims for death, 292 for catastrophic injuries and 3,574 for injuries requiring hospitalization.
The manufacturer has recalled more than 215,000 Saturn VUE crossover SUVs made between 2002 and 2004 over similar ignition switch issues. The vehicles involved in the recall could potentially have the key accidentally removed from the ignition switch before the vehicle shuts down.
ACCIDENTS RELATED TO RECALLED GM VEHICLES
Sadly, we have heard a number of tragic stories involving these recalled vehicles. Aside from death, victims have suffered from injuries including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and broken bones.
In one case, a grieving Adams mother recently spoke out about her son’s crash, saying that he was killed by his Cobalt’s ignition switch problems. Last year, Shannon Wooten told WTVF-TV that she lost her son Joshua in a 2009 car accident, saying that she never received a notice about the recall prior to his death, although he experienced problems with his car.
“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.”
WORKING WITH AN ATTORNEY ON A RECALLED VEHICLE CLAIM
It is sad that the GM ignition switch recall has affected so many Americans. Keep in mind, if you or your loved one have been in a crash involving a defective GM vehicle, it may be in your best interest to speak to an attorney before contacting the company about its claim program.
Remember, an attorney could potentially review your case and determine what you are entitled to prior to an offer from the company, which could help you secure more money. We will continue to update you about the ongoing recall effort as more information becomes available.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:6
Source: https://reuters.com/article/2015/02/23/gm-recall-compensation-idUSL1N0VX15420150223