Class action investigators are currently reviewing numerous injury claims from consumers alleging they sustained serious injury from the GM ignition switch problem. The GM ignition switch problem causes vehicles to unexpectedly shut down, oftentimes while the vehicles are in ongoing traffic, placing the driver and passenger at serious risk for injury.

The GM ignition switch problem has allegedly resulted in 169 deaths and many more injuries, with many consumers opting to file legal action against General Motors for compensation. One of these consumers opting to file legal action is an Ohio man, who was involved in an automobile accident allegedly caused by the GM ignition switch problem.

Plaintiff Dallas H. is filing this GM ignition switch lawsuit, after discovering General Motors knew about this problem for years but only recently took action to recall the affected vehicles. The GM ignition switch problem was allegedly discovered back in 2001, but customers were not warned until a recall was implemented in 2014.

The GM ignition switch problem is described as a situation where the ignition key slot suddenly switches to the off position due to the external weight of a keychain. It has been reported that the ignition switch could shift with a simple bump of the knee or other minimal pressures, causing the car to easily shut off during driving.

At this point over 100 deaths had been allegedly caused by the GM ignition switch problem, with numerous customers opting to file a lawsuit after learning about the defective ignition switch through the recall.

Overview of GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit

According to the GM ignition switch lawsuit, Dallas was involved in a car accident on Jan. 21, 2016, while driving a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Dallas reportedly suffered a serious injury to his arm and sustained a humerus fracture.

During a bankruptcy court proceeding on April 15, 2015, it was determined that over 20 GM employees knew that the defective ignition key slots were prone to shifting. During a time of transition, those who had knowledge of the alleged GM ignition switch problem were allegedly instructed not to disclose this information to the public.

In addition to hiding this information from the public, General Motors allegedly concealed the GM ignition switch problems from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA is part of the Department of Transportation. The NHTSA states its mission is to “save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle related crashes.” The NHTSA is in charge of enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which is meant to ensure consumers have access to reasonably safe automobiles. General Motors and other automobile companies must confirm their cars are up to federal safety regulations before selling them, including confirming that every part of the car is in working order.

Dallas alleges that General Motors sold the 2014 Chevrolet Impala using false marketing statements, which described the vehicle as safe to drive. Dallas states that before the recall was announced, General Motors did not disclose the GM ignition switch problem to him and he only discovered the problem after his accident.

The GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00520-JMF, in the U.S District Court of Southern New York.