Chevy and Pontiac Recall Underway for Cobalt, G5

When buying a new or used car, most drivers believe that the car they are purchasing will be safe and free from defects, and often, that is exactly what happens. But sometimes, a car may be designed with a flaw or an error that can lead to a serious complication or even a crash. When these issues are discovered, often manufacturers issue a recall, or a notice to all owners that the car should be serviced to eliminate the issue. These recalls can save lives but often they do not happen until after some drivers have been involved in car accidents, either sustaining injuries or even losing their lives.

Flaws in manufacturing or in design can lead to single or multi-vehicle accidents and can cause serious injuries. When a crash is due to the negligence of a manufacturer, local and federal laws may hold that automobile manufacturer liable for the damages that result, including the medical bills any victims are forced to incur and the pain and suffering they must endure. These claims can be complicated so it is best to speak with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area who understands car accidents and will be able to help you realize whether you may be entitled to relief.

General Motors recently recalled nearly 800,000 of its automobiles for problems that can cause the airbags not to deploy in a collision. The recall covers Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s with model years 2005-2007. Over 600,000 of the recalled vehicles were sold in the United States with the remaining recalled models having been sold in Canada or Mexico.

GM has acknowledged that 22 collisions have occurred where the airbags in the vehicles recalled did not deploy, with five of those accidents resulting in six fatalities. According to GM, all of the incidents occurred when the vehicles were being driven in an off-road manner, either across dirt or rough terrain, and GM notes that the vehicles were not intended to be off-road cars.

The ignition switch will be replaced in the recalled vehicles because currently, anything dangling from the key in use can be enough to trigger a shift in the ignition position from running to off, meaning that a key chain could cause the engine to turn off if the car hit a large enough bump. When the engine turns off, the airbags are nonfunctional, and therefore in any resulting crash, the airbags would not deploy. GM intends to switch the ignitions in the affected vehicles so that a bump would not trigger a switch in ignition position and therefore could not turn off the engine and other electronics.

 

 

If you have been notified of a recall of your vehicle, make sure you follow directions to have the problem addressed so that your car can run in a safe manner.

If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by an error in design or by the negligence of an auto manufacturer, you may be entitled to relief for your injuries. Call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free, no obligation telephone consultation regarding your case and your legal options. We are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call and we will keep all information confidential. If you have been injured, make sure you get the relief you deserve. Call us today at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and let us help you.

Prior Blog Entry:

Speed a Factor in Phoenix Car Crash, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published February 11, 2014.

Resource:

GM recalls Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5 after fatal accidents, by Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times, published February 13, 2014.