According to a recent report, there have been at least 74 deaths in car accidents involving General Motors’ cars where the airbag failed to deploy. According to Reuters’ analysis of the government’s fatal-crash data, there were 74 deaths from 2003 until 2012 with characteristics that indicate a faulty GM ignition switch or other defect was to blame.
Reuters examined the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a database of crashes submitted by local law-enforcement agencies, looking for accidents where no front air bag was deployed which resulted in a death of someone in the front seat. The results indicate many more deaths than what GM claims, which, however, were checked against other sources, GM states.
The Reuters analysis was presented to GM and federal regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While crash reports do not typically include data about defective ignition switches, the NHTSA Acting Administrator admits that the number of deaths associated with faulty ignition switches is most likely greater than 13, the number that GM reported.
Additionally, five out of the 13 deaths that caused GM’s recall are not included in Reuters’ FARS report. One was out of the time range examined by the Reuters report and two deaths were the result of multi-car accidents, which the Reuters analysis excluded.
If you have suffered a serious injury in an accident caused by an auto defect, you may be entitled to receive significant compensation for your injuries. The product liability attorneys at Lopez McHugh, LLP are prepared to assist in such lawsuits. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation today.
