Though GM attempted to have a GM ignition switch lawsuit blocked, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the bid, allowing the suits to move forward.

GM argued that its declared bankruptcy in 2009 made any GM ignition switch lawsuit barred, but the Supreme Court rejected this claim. The bid was denied because plaintiffs involved in the GM ignition switch lawsuit had not been notified of the defect before GM filed for bankruptcy.

Such a bid, if it had succeeded, would have blocked hundreds of GM lawsuits that could amount to billions of dollars.

Each GM ignition switch lawsuit alleges that certain General Motors cars have potentially fatal defects in their ignitions switch technologies.

According to the GM ignition switch lawsuit, the defective ignition switch system has been linked not only with at least 275 injuries, but also 124 deaths. Plaintiffs claim that the switch is able to slip out of position, which can cause the engine to stall when it’s supposed to be in drive, and also cuts off power to braking, steering, and air bag systems.

This defect can be triggered by something as simple as extra weight placed on the switch, such as from a heavy keychain. As you can imagine, these defects can pose a fatal risk for drivers and passengers.

GM acknowledged the defect in 2014 and began recalling 2.6 million of the vehicles affected by the defective ignition switch. So far, the company has already paid billions in penalties and settlements over this defect.

GM has acknowledged that some of its employees were aware of the ignition switch defect for years before the company recalled the vehicles, placing consumers at serious risk.

Consumers have reported a variety of serious injuries from car accidents attributed to the ignition switch defect, including loss of limbs, brain damage, serious burns and other injuries.

GM Ignition Switch Recall

The GM ignition switch recall was issued in 2014. The company said that it had discovered a dangerous defect that would cause the ignition switch to accidentally move to the “off’ position, which can abruptly turn off the engine and prevent airbags from deploying, placing drivers and passengers at serious risk of injury and fatality.

GM vehicles affected by the defective ignition switch include but are not limited to the following:

• All 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2007-2010 Pontiac G5
• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
• 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
• 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007-2010 Saturn Sky

Around 2.5 million vehicles have so far been affected by the GM ignition switch recall.

Filing a GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit

If you or someone you love were injured in a GM vehicle car accident because of a defect with the ignition switch, you may be able to file a GM ignition switch lawsuit. An accident involving a defective ignition switch would have shut down the car and prevented airbags from deploying, which could cause significant injuries.