First GM Ignition Switch Trial Set for January
GM tried unsuccessfully to have the case dismissed.
General Motors will go to trial in January for what is considered to be the first "bellwether" case in the ignition switch fiasco. A U.S. judge rejected GM's motion to dismiss the case, paving the way for a trial date of January 11.
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During the trial, a jury will hear the case of Robert Scheuer, who allegedly sustained injuries because of an ignition switch defect on his 2003 Saturn Ion. In May 2014, another vehicle forced Scheuer off an Oklahoma highway causing him to collide with two trees. Thanks to a faulty ignition switch, the airbags did not deploy, his suit claims.
The Ion was one of a number of older cars recalled because they can slip out of the "run" position while in motion. In certain cars, the engine may stall and airbags may not deploy in a crash. GM started recalling 2.6 million cars last year to fix the defect, although the company has since admitted to knowing about the problem over a decade earlier. A victim's compensation program headed by attorney Kenneth Feinberg tallied 124 deaths related to the ignition switches.
The first GM ignition switch trial is only one of six bellwether trials scheduled for 2016, reportsReuters. The results of these cases could determine the fate of future cases involving defective ignition switches.
Source: Reuters
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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