Automotive giant General Motors is recalling a significant portion of its vehicles over ignition-switch problems that have been linked to over 300 deaths. In light of the GM recall, class action lawsuits have already started being filed against the company, including a wrongful death lawsuit involving the deaths of three teenage girls.

As of now, nearly 300 deaths have been reportedly linked to the GM ignition switch defect. That has led to criticism from the public and a request to speed up the litigation process against the company. Two GM customers recently requested a federal court judge in Texas start processing GM ignition switch lawsuits soon because of the severity of the allegations, as well as how many victims will be lining up to allege their grievances.

The GM customers, Charles and Grace Silvas, also asked the judge to compel the automotive company to warn owners to stop driving their cars immediately due to the GM ignition switch concerns. About 1.6 million vehicles have been recalled since February due to this complication. The Silvas family owns a 2006 Chevy Cobalt, and are suing GM for allegedly concealing the ignition defect on their car, which caused the vehicle to lose its value.

However, last Monday the couple had filed an emergency motion in the U.S. District Court in Corpus Christi, Texas, asking the judge to order GM to issue a public warning to customers not to drive any of the recalled vehicles until they have been repaired.

The couple stated that this motion was the only way to protect the lives of other GM drivers, and that no other injuries or deaths occurred from this defect. Officially, 12 deaths have been linked to the ignition-switch defect but some experts estimate that hundreds more may be attributable to the GM ignition switch defect.

GM spokesman Jim Cain said the company was in the process of notifying dealers and customers that the recalled vehicles are safe to drive, as long as only the ignition key is used and that any fobs and extra items are removed.  The extra items, such as key chains, might cause the ignition to switch positions because of the added weight.

GM Recall Lawsuits Grow

Despite the severity of these claims, many legal experts do not believe the Silvas’ motion will go through because there was not enough clarity about the dangers for a judge to issue the order.  GM had announced the recall last month despite knowing about the ignition defect since 2001. The company has apologized for how it handled the recall.

Since the recall began, the company has been hit with several product liability lawsuits, including proposed class-action lawsuits brought forward by recalled vehicle owners.  The owners seek to recover economic losses, including diminished resale value and compensation for losing use of their cars.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut,  asked the Justice Department to force GM to establish a fund to compensate affected customers.

Join a Free GM Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

Consumers who were injured or have family members who were injured in an automobile accident related to the GM ignition switch problem may be eligible for compensation. See if you qualify now at the GM Ignition Switch Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. The GM recall class action lawsuit will attempt to hold the automaker accountable for manufacturing and selling defective vehicles and failing to address safety flaws that endangered hundreds of thousands of customers.  Current and former owners/lessees of the following vehicles involved in the GM ignition recall can participate in the class action lawsuit and pursue compensation:

• 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2005-2007 Pontiac G5
• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
• 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
• 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit
• 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007 Saturn Sky