On March 31, 2014, General Motors recalled more than 1.3 million vehicles due to a defect in power steering that can cause drivers to experience a sudden inability to effectively control their vehicles. Although GM stated that when power steering is lost the car will revert to manual steering, the sudden onset and greater effort needed, particularly at low vehicle speeds, could increase the risk of a crash.
This is exactly what happened to one woman in Maryland who was injured when her car’s steering wheel locked up, causing her to crash head-on into a concrete barrier while entering the interstate from an on-ramp in Baltimore City.
Unfortunately, this accident in Baltimore happened two days after a Chevy dealership repaired the defective power steering in that car. Despite the fact that GM’s Global Vehicle Safety Vice President, Jeff Boyer, promised that the safety recalls would “make it right” for GM customers, this crash demonstrates that this is clearly not the case, and GM still has not “made it right.”
This is not the first instance in which GM has addressed these very same issues in its cars. GM has recalled some of these cars for the same issue in the past, and with this last recall admitted that the company did not do enough. It is evident that they still have not done enough. Until the company adequately addresses the issue and trains its dealerships to make appropriate repairs, we can expect more unnecessary and preventable crashes.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if your loved one has lost his or her life because of GM’s defective power steering, you may be entitled to compensation. Call 1 800 YOST LAW (967-8529) for help. There is no fee or expense unless we recover for you.
The Yost Legal Group, Experienced Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting your Rights.