Chevy Cobalt Injury Risks
After a lengthy investigation, General Motors has issued a recall for 2005-2007 Chevy Cobalts and 2007 Pontiac G5s. The recalled vehicles have been linked to over thirty car accidents and thirteen fatalities. Faulty ignition switches in the recalled vehicles have caused problems including sudden loss of power and airbag failure. In many cases, loss of power has led to front-end crashes, and resulting airbag failure has enabled easily preventable head injuries.
Issuing a safety recall will hopefully prevent injuries to consumers in the future. Unfortunately, many people have already been hurt because of the defective GM vehicles. The legal team at the Willis Law Firm understands that recovering from a serious injury can be an expensive process, and if your injuries were caused by a manufacturing defect, you could be entitled to seek compensation for financial losses related to your injuries.
Injury Risks Associated with Recalled Chevy Cobalts
The main vehicular defect of the recalled Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s involves the ignition switches. The ignition switches can easily shift from the “start” position to the “accessory” position. These unprompted shifts have caused vehicles to lose power, and sudden and unexpected power loss dramatically increases the chance of a car accident, especially if it occurs on a busy roadway. Additionally, airbag function is affected by the car’s power center, and if the power fails, the airbag is unlikely to deploy in the event of an accident. This can make all passengers even more vulnerable to suffering serious injuries.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that side-impact accidents can cause extensive damage to passengers riding in Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s, as GM did not include side-impact air curtains in standard vehicles until 2008. The IIHS gives a poor passenger safety rating to these particular vehicles. The shortcomings of the affected vehicles increase the likelihood of drivers and passengers sustaining neck, head, and brain injuries in an accident.
Contact a Chevy Cobalt Injury Attorney
Drivers and passengers should be able to feel confident that their vehicle has been designed and manufactured carefully, but unfortunately, this faith is misplaced far too often. If you sustained injuries in a car accident caused by a defective Chevy Cobalt, you might be able to receive compensation for expenses related to your injuries. The attorneys at the Willis Law Firm represent people who have been injured by dangerous vehicles, and we are ready to help you. Call our offices today at (800) 883-9858 to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.