The first civil trial over General Motors (GM) faulty ignition switch began Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2015 in Manhattan.
The case is one of six bellwether cases against the automaker. Three were chosen by the plaintiffs attorneys and three were selected by the defense team. This first case to be tried was selected by the plaintiffs counsel.
Bellwether cases are often used in product liability cases in which there are similarities between multiple claims. It is an opportunity for both sides to test legal strategies and determine if a settlement should be reached.
GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit Being Heard in Manhattan
The Federal District Court in Manhattan is now hearing arguments surrounding an accident that took place on May 28, 2014.
A male driver claims that a faulty ignition switch caused the airbags in his 2003 Saturn Ion to fail to deploy when his vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree. He suffered injuries to his neck and back as a result of the accident.
The plaintiff received a recall notice from GM for his vehicles faulty ignition switch earlier in May 2014. But, upon taking his vehicle to the dealership, he was told replacement parts were not available to correct the problem.
He was told to call back in a month and to take his key off the keychain, as the extra weight could cause the key to turn into the off position.
He was involved in an accident later that month where he sustained injuries that may have been prevented if the airbags had deployed properly.
Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in an accident caused by a faulty ignition switch or another defective product? Let our class action lawyers fight for justice on your behalf. We are dedicated to holding negligent manufacturers accountable for producing defective products.
<< BACK TO BLOG POSTS