Ten plaintiffs have recently filed an ignition switch lawsuit against GM claiming that inherent defects regarding the ignition switch and airbag deployment caused each of them to suffer significant damages.

Each of the stories of the plaintiffs in this ignition switch lawsuit is similar.

Many claim that while driving, they unexpectedly lost control of the car due to ignition switch defects.

As a result of the loss of control of the vehicles, the plaintiffs either struck trees or ran into ditches. Some say their cars flipped over during the course of the defect-caused accident. In these situations, the airbags did not deploy, the plaintiffs claim.

One example is that of plaintiff Brandi S. She drove a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. In November 2014, she was driving on a road in North Carolina. As she was traveling, allegedly due to inherent defects in the vehicle, she lost control and power of the car.

She left the roadway and struck a ditch. The car turned over and struck trees which caused a significant impact. The airbags did not deploy in the crash and Brandi suffered injuries, she claims.

Another example in this ignition switch lawsuit is regarding plaintiff Matthew A. He owned and drove a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. In November 2014, he was driving in Marion County, Indiana at which time another car entered his path.

Matthew attempted to swerve, but because of the alleged ignition switch defect, he lost control and power and crashed off of the road.

Even though there was a significant impact, the airbags did not deploy. He claims that if the airbags had deployed, he either would not have suffered injuries or would have had reduced injuries.

Another one of the ten named plaintiffs in this ignition switch lawsuit is Corsha H. She owned and operated a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. In August 2014, Corsha lost control and power of her vehicle while driving in Cincinnati.

As a result, she struck a telephone pole head-on, and the airbags in her Alero did not deploy. She also believes that if there were not inherent defects in her car, she would not have suffered injuries or her injuries would be greatly reduced.

Ignition Switch Lawsuit Blames Defect for Serious Accidents

Not only are the plaintiffs suing on behalf of themselves and damages they suffered in auto accidents, but one is suing for wrongful death that allegedly came as a result of the GM vehicles’ defects.

The plaintiffs are claiming that “their vehicles had serious and unreasonably dangerous defects with the ignition switches, electronic stability control system, steering system defect, vehicle crashworthiness, and/or lack of airbag sensors for rollover vehicle accident protection.”

More specifically, they allege the ignition switch of the cars had the ability to change from the “Run” position to the “Accessory” position during the time the vehicle was in operation. This can cause the engine to lose power – and then as a result, so do the steering, brakes and other essential safety functions of the car.

The plaintiffs in this GM lawsuit bring claims of manufacturing defect, design defect, failure to warn, negligence, fraudulent concealment, statutory actions and punitive damages.

The GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-08683 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.