GM Key Ignition Defect Recall Prompts Felony Crash Lawsuit

In 2004, a Texas woman pleaded guilty to felony negligence charges after a serious car crash led to the death of her fiancé. Now, she is suing General Motors because she believes her Saturn had a faulty ignition switch, and the delayed GM key ignition defect recall led to the accident.

Candice Anderson believed for 10 years that she was responsible for the severe accident that killed her fiancé. When Anderson learned about GM’s delayed vehicle recall and the ignition switch problems in several older model vehicles – including in the Saturn she drove – she decided to file a personal injury lawsuit against the automotive manufacturer.

She is asking for $75,000 as a settlement in the vehicle recall death case.

In November 2004, Anderson’s model year 2004 Saturn was brand-new. As she drove down a road in Van Zandt County, Texas, the car suddenly swerved and ran into a tree off the road. Mikale Erikson, Anderson’s 25-year-old fiancé, died of his injuries. Anderson herself, then 21, was severely injured as well.

Because there were no skid marks from the Saturn, authorities charged Anderson with negligent homicide. Anderson was led by investigators to believe she was guilty, and was sentenced on the felony charge to 5 years of deferred punishment, 260 hours of community service, and $3,500 in court costs. Anderson also paid her fiance’s funeral expenses.

Anderson’s lawsuit against GM claims that not only did the GM key ignition defect recall come too late to save her and her fiancé, but the vehicle manufacturer failed to step forward and inform the court about the potential ignition switch problem during Anderson’s trial. GM now acknowledges that the  10-year-delayed vehicle recall is responsible for at least 50 crashes and 13 deaths, and Chief Executive Mary T. Barra acknowledges that, as the company aims to find settlement money for victims, there could be many more related deaths and life-limiting injuries due to the ignition switch problem.

GM Chief Says Vehicle Recall Death Total Could Rise

On Tuesday, June 10th, GM’s Chief Executive Mary T. Barra said that the company believes the number of deaths related to the delayed GM key ignition defect recall could rise. Right now, the company acknowledges 13 deaths related to ignition switch problems, but that number could go up.

“We are relying on the expertise of Kenneth Feinberg, who is experienced in designing and administering complex compensation programs,” Ms. Barra said. Feinberg is an attorney who specializes in victim compensation, and has been hired to work with GM to compensate the ignition switch vehicle recall victims.

So far, GM has set aside $1.7 billion to pay restitution for victims of the delayed vehicle recall, which covers 2.6 million older model vehicles, most of which date back to 2004 and 2005.

“Our goal is to make sure everyone who is impacted by the ignition-switch issue is appropriately compensated,” Barra said. GM must “do the right thing for those who were harmed.”

She added: “I believe if we do the right thing for the customers and we do the right thing for the business, we are doing the right thing for shareholders.”

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Defective Products and Vehicle Recall Cases

If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today at (803) 252-4800.