The number of people killed by defective ignition switches in General Motors vehicles has risen to 67, according to a recent report from CBS News.
The families of the 67 individuals will likely receive compensation from the company, which recently updated the list to include three more people. Another 113 injured people will also receive compensation from the GM fund.
The deaths and injuries are linked to faulty ignition switches in Chevrolet Cobalts and other vehicles produced by General Motors. The switch may slip out of the “on” position while the car is being driven. When this happens, the engine is cut off, the power steering stops working, and the air bags are turned off as well. Serious injuries or deaths have resulted in many cases in which the ignition switch failed while a GM vehicle was in motion.
The fund is still reviewing about 1,492 claims of injury or death in order to determine whether the families that filed them are eligible for compensation under the fund’s rules. At least 820 of the claims filed were deemed ineligible, and many others were rejected for lack of sufficient documentation. The filling deadline was January 31.
Although the fund’s deadline has currently passed, options for seeking compensation for injuries caused by the faulty ignition switches have not been exhausted. An experienced Dallas product liability attorney at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP can help you understand your legal rights and options if you’ve been injured by a defective auto part. If you own a GM vehicle affected by the ignition switch recall, it’s wise to get it fixed at a GM dealership as soon as possible.
