GM faulty ignition switch accidents have been linked to hundreds of injuries and deaths.

Yet, the automaker reportedly knew about the ignition switch defect for more than a decade but failed to issue a recall.

Basically, when the GM ignition switch malfunctioned in certain cars, it left drivers vulnerable to losing control of the vehicle. Sometimes, the affected vehicles stalled in ways that prevented steering, braking and airbag function.

Many people reportedly were catastrophically injured or lost their lives as a result of GM faulty ignition switch accidents.

GM Faulty Ignition Switch Problem Explained

The faulty GM ignition switch has the potential to take the vehicle out of gear when excessive amounts of weight are placed on the ignition. A driver could be navigating down the road when his or her key suddenly shifts the vehicle out of the “On” position.

When this happens, the onboard safety systems are disabled, with the driver losing access to Power Steering, Antilock Brakes, and airbag deployment. Because the issue can appear suddenly and without warning, the risk of GM faulty ignition switch accidents increases.

Some of the vehicles and brands that have been affected by the GM faulty ignition switch recall include (for a complete list of recalled vehicles, see the NHTSA website):

• Chevy Cobalts
• Chevy HHRs
• Saturn Ions
• Saturn Skys
• Pontiac Solstices
• Pontiac G5s

GM Knew They Had a Problem With Faulty Ignition Switches

Since early 2014, GM has recalled almost 15 million vehicles related to ignition switch defects.

However, General Motors knowingly put drivers in harm’s way for more than 10 years by not promptly recalling millions of vehicles for faulty ignition switches when they first became aware of the issue.

As a result of their actions in concealing the ignition switch defect, General Motors was fined $35 million by the United States Transportation Department.

These defects have been linked to 124 deaths, 17 injuries resulting in either quadriplegia, paraplegia, double amputation, permanent brain damage or pervasive burns and 258 injuries requiring hospitalization or outpatient medical treatment.

These defects, however, may have potentially injured countless others as more than 3,900 claims submitted to GM for ignition defect-related injuries and deaths were deemed ineligible for compensation for various reasons. Many people may unknowingly have been involved or lost a loved one in GM faulty ignition switch accidents.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a GM Faulty Ignition Switch Accident

Are you one of the many drivers who was involved in or lost a loved one to GM faulty ignition switch accidents? If so, you may qualify to file a lawsuit against GM for its role in not addressing the issue early on.

In addition to an ignition switch defect that GM reportedly refused to acknowledge for years, the automaker has recalled millions of other vehicles for additional safety issues that put drivers and passengers at risk.

If you sustained an accident of any kind involving a GM vehicle, you should contact a specialized GM faulty ignition switch accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.