A car’s safety is often your highest priority when choosing a new car to buy. That is why the recent recalls by General Motors have been so concerning. There have been 30 recalls from GM so far this year that have covered 13.79 million cars. Most recently, GM recalled around 500 of its redesigned full-size pickups and SUVs from the 2014 and 2015 model years. These trucks and SUVs have been recalled due to a part in the airbag control module that is potentially not working correctly.
The Good News
GM has determined that these 500 trucks and SUVs are either still awaiting shipment from their plants or are still on dealer lots, so they should not yet be on the roads endangering lives. A “stop-sale” order had been issued and the vehicles will not be sold until the faulty part is fixed. Furthermore, this problem is isolated within a very specific group of models. No other similar models should be affected, so you do not need be concerned about other vehicles being sold with this same problem. GM states that it is committed to identifying potential problems as quickly as possible to minimize the impact on customers. The company will be monitoring social media for customer complaints and further investigating all their current models.
Precautions You Can Take
Despite assurances from GM that the safety of their cars is a serious concern, it is natural to worry about the safety of your cars and the cars of other drivers on the road. You can do a few things to keep your family safe.
First, be aware of recalls released. Keep apprised of the news and look for safety reports on blogs of concerned citizens. If you know about a problem right away, you will be able to deal with it before the problem directly affects you. Share this information with your friends and neighbors so they will be aware as well.
Second, do your research. Before you buy a new car, find out as much as possible about the cars you will consider. If it is top-ranked for safety and no customers are expressing concerns, you are less likely to have your car recalled later. Of course, you cannot be 100% sure and it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to assure that the cars they sell are safe.
Finally, know your rights. If you are affected by one of these recalls, you need to know what your rights are and how you can protect your family from further damage. Consider seeking legal advice on how you can be compensated for any damage that the recalled parts may have caused.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving a recalled vehicle, no matter who was determined at fault, contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC. We will provide you with a free consultation, review your situation, inform you of your legal rights and options, and work to help you or your loved one seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
