Could massive GM vehicle recall get bigger? Single key in ignition isn't safe, says plaintiff lawyer
As the CEO of General Motors appeared before federal lawmakers in the nation’s capital this week amidst a massive recall of vehicles over an ignition-switch issue blamed for a number of fatal accidents, the situation continued to escalate.
On Wednesday, testifying before a Senate committee, Mary Barra reiterated earlier advice from the automakers that having a bunch of keys hanging from the ignition could cause an unexpected engine shutoff. “If I had any data, any incidences where with just the key or the key in the ring there was any risk, I would ground these vehicles across the country,” she stated at one point.
But now a Texas lawyer has provided an affidavit (PDF) from a driver saying she had such a problem using a single key in the ignition of her recalled 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Bob Hilliard, who is representing plaintiffs in a case against GM, is seeking a federal court order requiring drivers to park their recalled GM cars until the ignition switch is fixed. A hearing on his motion is scheduled Friday in Corpus Christi.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Solo practitioner ‘single-handedly set the stage’ for massive GM recall”
ABAJournal.com: “GM hires disaster master Ken Feinberg as auto recall grows; he will look at victim compensation”
Associated Press: “Lawmakers accuse GM of cover-up”
