General Motors has issued a recall for 2.6 million vehicles.
Among the recalled vehicles are the Chevy Cobalt and the Saturn Ion. These vehicles
have been recalled because of faulty ignition switches. When bumped, an ignition switch can turn off
automatically, shutting off the car’s engine and disabling its air bags.
Problems with the ignition switches were allegedly
discovered as early as 2001, but the company did not issue a recall until this
past February. According to the New
York Times, GM’s new CEO, Mary Barra, recently testified at a congressional
hearing that she had not become aware of the defect until December 2013, two
months before issuing the recall. The House
Energy and Commerce Committee has gathered numerous documents from GM as
part of an ongoing investigation.
Nationwide, GM has confirmed that this defect resulted in 13
deaths. GM has not publicly disclosed a list of confirmed victims, leaving
loved ones to speculate on whether the ignition defect played a part in the
death of their family member. Furthermore, proving whether the ignition defect
caused a deadly crash may be difficult. Cars contain black boxes, which act as
sensors and begin recording when they sense an impending impact. These boxes
may stop recording due to subsequent impacts or can be easily damaged due to
the collision, leaving potentially crucial information on the cause of the
crash inaccessible.
Bruce E. Newman
has begun an investigation into a recall related claim. If you or a loved one
was involved in an accident that may have been the result of a defective
ignition switch, please call him at 860.583.5200.
