GM Injury Lawsuit FAQ for Seattle Residents

Answers to the Most Common Seattle GM Injury Lawsuit Questions

This page provides answers to questions frequently asked of our attorneys serving Seattle in regards to GM ignition injury lawsuits. After reading this page, if you still have questions related to your individual circumstances, please contact our attorneys working on GM ignition injury lawsuits for Seattle residents. Fill out our online contact form (located at the right side of your screen) and one of our lawyers serving Seattle will respond promptly to discuss your situation in detail. Read here to learn general information that is applicable to most Seattle GM injury claims for Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn ignition recalls.

How do I know if my vehicle had a defective ignition switch?

Many different makes and models in General Motors’ small car lineup have been included in the GM ignition recalls. These include numerous vehicles sold in Seattle released between 1997 and 2014 in the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn product lines. Here is a complete list of the vehicles that may qualify for Seattle GM lawsuit claims:

• 2005 – 2009 Buick Lacrosse
• 2006 – 2011 Buick Lucerne
• 2003 – 2011 Cadillac CTS
• 2000 – 2005 Cadillac Deville
• 2006 – 2011 Cadillac DTS
• 2004 – 2006 Cadillac SRX
• 2010 – 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2005 – 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2006 – 2011 Chevrolet HHR
• 2000 – 2014 Chevrolet Impala
• 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
• 2004 – 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
• 2000 – 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• 1999 – 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
• 1998 – 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
• 2007 – 2010 Pontiac G5
• 1999 – 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
• 2004 – 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
• 2005 – 2010 Pontiac Solstice
• 2003 – 2007 Saturn Ion
• 2007 – 2010 Saturn Sky

How long did General Motors known about the ignition switch defect before consumers in Seattle were warned of the danger?

One of the first GM injury lawsuits uncovered evidence proving that GM has been aware of the ignition switch defect since 2004, before the first cars using the defective parts hit the market. However, residents of Seattle did not learn of the risk until the company recalled the defective cars a decade later, in 2014. Company documents show GM considered various solutions to the problem, but fell far short of issuing a timely recall that could have saved innocent lives in Seattle.

Who can make a General Motors injury claim in Seattle or file a GM ignition recall lawsuit?

Individuals and the family members of individuals who were harmed in a Seattle car accident in a vehicle that was recalled for ignition problems may be eligible to file a GM injury lawsuit in Seattle.

Does it cost anything for you to review my case?

We will always listen to your circumstances and give you our analysis of your case without any cost or further obligation.

What is actually wrong with the ignition system in the recalled vehicles?

The problem that has resulted in GM ignition injury lawsuits from Seattle residents is described as “low torque” in the ignition cylinder. In simple terms, the recalled vehicles can lose electrical power if the key or ignition switch is bumped or jarred. A loss of electrical power disables the brakes, steering, and airbags, making collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities inevitable.

Why didn’t GM issue a recall when the problem was discovered?

Evidence from a GM injury lawsuit filed on behalf of a Georgia woman who was killed in 2010 when her GM vehicle lost power revealed that GM had been engaged in a decade-long cover-up of the ignition defect. The company considered various fixes, but the closest GM ever got to a recall was in 2005 when the company issued a Technical Service Bulletin. This private memo, sent only to dealerships, notified dealers of the problem but did not warn of the hazards posed. Options for fixing the defect were considered by abandoned due to cost.

How much will it cost to file a GM injury lawsuit in Seattle?

We will represent all persons in Seattle involved in a GM ignition injury lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please fill out our short online contact form and one of our attorneys handling GM ignition lawsuits for Seattle residents will contact you to answer any of your questions.

Aren't most drug and products liability lawsuits just class action lawsuits where the plaintiff receives very little money?

The majority of our drug cases are handled as a MDL, or Multi-District Litigation, where each plaintiff receives a settlement based upon the individual injuries and damages incurred by each plaintiff.

We're not the type of people who sue; do we really need to file a lawsuit?

If a member of your family in Seattle suffered a serious injury or health problem as a result of a defective product or dangerous drug, long-term, or even life-long, medical care may be required. This could be incredibly expensive and since medical costs are continually rising may be largely unknown at the time of settlement or trial. If a member of your family died due to a defective product or dangerous drug, no amount of money can undo that wrong. It is our fervent hope that every defective products, drug or other medication lawsuit we file can serve to make the manufacturer take note of the loss and pain its product has caused. When that fails to make a company take action in the form of a product recall, greater warnings about its use and ultimately making safer products, we rely on their profit motivation to make them do the right thing. Unfortunately, in all too many cases it is only the fear of lawsuits and large settlements and verdicts that makes a company become a better corporate citizen.

How much time do I have to file a GM injury lawsuit in Seattle?

Most states have GM ignition lawsuit time limits; however, the majority of all persons in Seattle having been harmed in a recalled Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn will fall within those time limits if they contact an attorney in the near future. For specific time limits for your Seattle GM injury claim, please fill out the form at right and one of our attorneys will contact you as quickly as possible, usually within the hour.