Following a series of car accidents, General Motors is recalling more than a half-million Chevrolet Camaros because of the danger that a bump to the keys could suddenly turn off the ignition – a problem similar to the defect that led the automaker to recall millions of small cars this year. GM said that a driver’s knee could jostle the key fob, causing the ignition to turn off and cutting the engine.
The automaker said it was aware of three car accidents and four injuries related to the defect, which is in about 510,000 Camaros worldwide from the 2010 to 2014 model years. The announcement struck a familiar note at GM, which has been reeling from its decade-long failure to fix a different faulty ignition system that it has linked to at least 13 deaths and 54 crashes.
In New Jersey, if a defect in the design of the vehicle contributes to an accident, the injured party may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Car manufacturers like General Motors have a legal obligation to meet an industry standard of safety when designing their products. If they fall short and an accident occurs as a result, they may be held liable for any related injuries or damages.
At Breslin and Breslin, our New Jersey car accident attorneys are well-versed in cases involving manufacturer liability. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident where a design flaw played a role–for example, if the accident stemmed from defective brakes, tires, seatbelts, airbags, accelerator or ignition–you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer seeking compensation for your losses. To find out if you qualify for a reward, contact the car accident lawyers at Breslin and Breslin today for a free case evaluation.
