The recent spate of GM recalls has led to some disturbing possibilities. One of these possibilities is that you could be injured in an accident that is caused by a GM car defect. If you are injured in a crash with a car that is under recall or was defectively designed or manufactured, you may be entitled to damages paid by the owner of the car, the manufacturer or a third party who installed parts on the car or serviced it.
I Own A GM Car
If you own a GM car, it is important to be sure that you are not held liable for any injuries caused by your vehicle being defective. In other words, as a car owner it is your responsibility to be sure that your car is in good operating condition at all times by taking reasonable precautions to have it serviced and repaired when necessary. If you receive a recall notice, it is important to go ahead and have the repairs done as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and others from possible harm.
On the other hand, you can be a conscientious car owner and still end up being injured by a defective vehicle. The point of a recall is to make people aware that there is a problem with a car that must be fixed that they would not normally find on their own until it had caused an injury. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to recall notices and take them seriously.
Am I Liable If My GM Car Injures Someone Else?
It is impossible to say with any certainty what will happen in a lawsuit against someone whose car has caused an injury. However, generally speaking, injuries caused by defective vehicles are the responsibility of the manufacturer, particularly if the driver was not committing any violations at the time of the crash.
A good example of this idea is the recent ignition switch problems GM vehicles have been experiencing. If your car’s ignition switch caused a crash that injured a passenger, the manufacturer may be held liable for that defect.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured By A GM Car?
Being injured in a vehicle crash is a frightening experience. It can be even more devastating if your own insurance company, the insurance company of the other driver and even the manufacturer of the car all tell you that you are not entitled to adequate compensation for your injuries. This is particularly true in the case of a car recall. Many car companies, including GM, have tried to completely deny the fact that the car’s defects caused the injuries when someone is hurt or killed.
On your own, it may be difficult to prove otherwise. However, with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who has already taken on vehicle manufacturers in the past and won, you stand a much better chance of recovering compensation for your damages.
