General Motors has announced that the number of auto accident fatalities linked to the company’s defective ignition switch has reached 100.
As of March 2015, the company had compensated approximately 64 families whose loved ones were killed in car accidents that were caused by the vehicle defect. As many as 450 death claims were filed with GM’s compensation fund.
The number of confirmed death claims is nearly eight times higher than GM originally estimated in 2014. As the number of claims linked to the defective ignition switch continue to climb, the crisis has become one of the deadliest automotive safety issues in American history.
Approximately 184 injuries claims have been approved while nearly 600 are still under review. About 37 death claims are also under review. Claims that were labeled deficient or were submitted without documentation will also be reviewed as families begin to provide documents to prove death and/or injury as a result of the vehicle defect.
GM is hoping to be finished reviewing all of the claims by July. According a statement made by Camille Biros, the deputy manager of the compensation fund, to the New York Times, many of the remaining eligible claims victims in their teens or early 20s. Some of the claims made were for collisions that occurred even after GM began to recall vehicles in February 2014 for the ignition switch issue.
Approximately $600 million was set aside to compensation victims of the defective ignition switch debacle. Those who filed death claims are estimated to receive at least $1 million for their pain and suffering while compensation for injury claims will be decided case by case.
The personal injury attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy are pleased to see that some victims are getting justice. However, we also understand that many more are still suffering as a result of GM’s negligence.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective vehicle, we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
