Deadline for Filing General Motors Injury Ignition Switch Claims Extended
This blog has recently covered the extensive recalls of General Motors vehicles linked to fault ignitions switches. A compensation program was established by GM for victims who suffered injury or wrongful death in collisions involving the defect. While the original deadline to submit a claim for compensation from the fund established by GM was December 31, 2014, the compensation program’s administrator Kenneth Feinberg has just announced the deadline has been extended to January 31, 2015 according to Reuters. Approximately 4.5 million past and present owners of vehicles subject to the recall received notice of the extension.
The faulty ignition switch compensation program was established earlier this year as the number of people who experienced injury or death in car accidents because of the defective ignition switch continued to rise. The program permits anyone who was injured or killed in a car accident caused by a fault ignition switch in a GM vehicle to file a claim, which includes both vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
Individuals who elect to participate in the compensation program must agree to release any claims against GM related to the ignition switch defect. The amount of compensation received by claimants who experienced injury will depend on the severity of the injuries.
Over 2,100 people have already filed claims with the fund, and 33 fatality claims have been approved as of November 14, 2014 according to Reuters. The Wall Street Journal reports that of the total number of existing claims almost 200 are fatality claims. The press release announcing the extension of the deadline to file a claim indicated the rationale for the change was to “provide comprehensible notice and give each claimant an opportunity to file a claim in a timely manner.”
While the GM compensation program is one potential remedy for those who are harmed, the program might not provide the best option for all injury or fatality victims. Parties involved in collisions caused by the vehicle defect can opt to pursue a product defect lawsuit rather than participate in the GM compensation program. If you are unsure about the best remedy for your situation, Montlick and Associates can evaluate your situation and explain your alternatives.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Claim
If you or someone you love has been injured or you have lost a family member in a car crash connected to the ignition switch defect, or in any other type of car or truck accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation. Our attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.