General Motors issued a recall back in 2014 for issues relating to airbags and seat belts in certain GM-made vehicles. If you or someone you love has been in an accident with a GM-made vehicle and the airbag and/or seatbelts failed to function properly, you may have a claim for a full financial recovery. We can help you sue for reimbursement for your medical costs, car repairs, and pain and suffering.
John Foy & Associates is a large and respected law firm that works hard for victims—never the big companies. Call our personal injury attorneys today at 404-400-4000 for a free consultation.
Why did GM issue this recall?
General Motors (GM) has revealed that a surprising number of their vehicles could be subject to a computer error in the software that controls the airbags. This glitch can cause the airbag to enter a “test mode,” and if an accident happens, the airbags will not deploy. That means that a crucial life-saving device would simply stand by and do nothing while you crash.
GM also indicated that the seatbelts may not work normally while in test mode.
It’s not clear how this glitch works, or how many of the affected vehicles may have already entered test mode. Presumably, the test mode exists so that GM engineers can intentionally crash vehicles multiple times without the airbag deploying on each crash. Outside of the lab, however, the glitch is potentially fatal.
Other types of GM recalls
Unfortunately, this is not the only recall GM has issued pertaining to their vehicles in recent years. You may be able to sue for compensation if you were injured or suffered damages in an accident involving any of the following:
- Problems with your ignition switch
- Power steering failure
- Fuel transmission leak
By the time an auto manufacturer issues a recall, it is often after people have already been victims of accidents due to these issues. Fight back against this injustice with the personal injury attorneys at John Foy & Associates.
Has anyone been killed by the GM airbag glitch?
Yes, it appears that the glitch was involved in at least one deadly crash. GM has admitted that the error is linked to a car accident and that one person lost their life.
There could be many other accidents where the glitch was involved, without anyone involved knowing about it. This is why we are asking all GM car owners to reach out to us if you were involved in an accident where the airbag did not deploy. At this time, we don’t know how many other lives may have been lost, or how many severe injuries were caused by the airbag failing to deploy.
Which vehicles are affected by the GM recall?
GM has stated that nearly 4 million vehicles are affected and include all of the following, based on their model year:
2014–2016
- Buick Lacrosse
- Chevrolet Spark EV
- Chevrolet Spark SS
- Chevrolet Corvette
2014–2017
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Chevrolet Trax
- Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle
- GMC Sierra 1500
- Buick Encore
2015–2017
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
- Chevrolet 3500 HD
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD
- GMC Yukon
- GMC Yukon XL
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
Note that if you have one of the vehicles above and it was manufactured after August 24, 2016, it does not have this glitch. GM had already started putting in updated computer modules by that time, to fix the error.
How long did GM know about this problem?
According to GM, the company did not know about this problem until very recently. They say they discovered the glitch in May 2016. Their official story is that an employee brought the possibility of a defect to their attention after learning about a crash with a 2014 Silverado where the airbags failed to deploy. The company then investigated and, as soon as they discovered the glitch, took action for a recall.
Notably, GM has had other problems with its airbags in the past, such as the Takata airbag recall.
What is GM doing about the defect?
GM has taken basic steps to fix the affected vehicles. The recall they issued will cover all 3.6 million vehicles they believe could be affected, and owners will be notified of the recall. Owners can then bring in their vehicle to have the computer module updated for free. Once it’s updated, the defect should be resolved.
This approach is good, but it only works to prevent future problems. It does not address any accidents that already happened or any injuries caused by the defect. Only as accident victims come forward can we begin to hold GM accountable for the damage done and get the victims and their families a recovery.
Is GM liable for accidents caused by the airbag glitch?
Legally, GM is responsible for making a safe product that performs as it’s advertised to perform. Any injuries caused by the airbag defect are considered product liability claims, and the people hurt (and their families) have a right to seek damages.
Under the law, GM is liable even if it didn’t know about the glitch. That’s because they have a duty to properly test their product before it goes to market. The fact that they allowed a glitch through—one that can disable lifesaving devices at the most crucial moment—counts as “negligence.” Negligence simply means they were careless and that their carelessness could cause harm to others.
Types of damages you could pursue if you were affected by this glitch
You could hold GM legally liable for your:
- Medical bills, medication, and physical rehabilitation
- Wages lost because you could not work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities
Claims for this kind of accident can often reach over $1,000,000. This money cannot undo an accident or the grief it caused, but it can relieve medical debt and help a family stay afloat financially as they work through a difficult time.
What should you do if you think you have a claim?
If you own one of the affected vehicles and your airbags or seatbelt didn’t protect you during an accident, you should speak to a lawyer immediately. John Foy & Associates has over 20 years of experience handling product liability cases, and we have litigated large national cases like this before. Let us help you.
Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.