SC Consumer Risk of Defective Vehicles

General Motors has come under fire in recent months due to a number of recalls affecting millions of vehicles. The company recently entered into a consent agreement to pay a record $35 million fine for failure to provide information on safety defects to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a timely manner. CNN also reports that GM has recalled more cars in 2014 than in the history of the company. There have been so many recalls over the course of the year that the beleaguered car company has actually recalled more vehicles in 2014 than it has sold in the U.S. since 2009.

Cars need to be recalled if they fail to live up to federal safety standards or if a safety-related defect comes to light. The NHTSA also needs to be notified within five days when the car company identifies a problem. GM not only failed to alert the NHTSA but also waited years to deal with a safety defect that it allegedly knew about since 2001.

Consumers are put at risk when a car has a defect and victims of motor vehicle collisions need to understand their legal rights. The car company may be held responsible but there may also be third-parties who are liable for losses. A personal injury attorney can help those who have been harmed to pursue a damage claim.

GM Recalls Endanger Consumers

The first GM recall that occurred in 2014 was instituted in February and involved problems with an ignition switch. The ignition switch could suddenly switch out of run mode into accessory mode. This would shut off the engine, prevent the airbags from working and turn off the power-steering on the vehicle. Around 12 deaths and 46 injuries may have resulted from accidents that occurred when the ignition switches malfunctioned.

GM has also recalled Tahoes, Silverados and Sierras because of steering problems and just recently Auto News reported that Saab 9-3 convertibles had to be recalled as a result of problems with the seat belt retractors that prevented the belts from retracting.

GM’s bankruptcy complicates injury claims made against the company for deaths that may have resulted from the product defects. However, the large civil fine that GM was assessed is the biggest fine in history to result from a failure to provide the NHTSA with timely information.

As part of a consent agreement that GM has entered into to settle claims with the NHTSA, the company has also agreed to change its internal process for reporting and dealing with safety issues and has agreed to give the NHTSA information from its internal investigation into the recalls.

While GM recalls came too late for the victims of accidents caused by the car’s problems, hopefully the company will be more responsible in the future and the terms of the settlement aim to ensure that no more delays occurring in removing dangerous cars from the market.

Consumers need to be aware of the risks when there is a problem with a vehicle. Safer Car provides helpful advice to people who are buying cars and who may need assistance finding out information about whether the vehicle they are considering is a safe one or not.

South Carolina personal injury attorney Chad McGowan is ready to help accident victims. Contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC at 803-327-7800 or visit https://www.mcgowanhood.com for a free case consultation.