Two families of victims killed in General Motors cars with defective ignition switches have dropped their respective lawsuits and have a settlement from the compensation program set up to address the issue.Â
A lawyer for the families, Robert Hilliard, told Automotive News that the compensation program had extended offers to the families of Amy Rademaker and Natasha Weigel, two teenagers who were killed in a 2006 crash with a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. These are the first families to accept an offer since the program was instituted, which is being headed by Kenneth Feinberg.
Said Hillard, “Of the offers made so far, most of my clients feel that they are reasonable and in the ballpark of serious consideration.”
According to Feinberg’s office, the compensation program has attracted 850 claims as of September 24. Of the 150 death claims, 21 have been deemed eligible as of a week ago. Fifteen cash offers currently have been made to eligible claimants, with 12 of them being Hilliard’s clients; if they accept, they will be awarded at least $1 million with certain factors (i.e. whether the deceased had any dependents, for example) adding to the compensation, of which GM has set aside $400 million. Upon accepting compensation, families must waive the right to sue GM.
GM spokesman Dave Roman says the company would not comment on individual claims but added, “Our goal has been to reach every eligible person impacted.
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Comment
Lets get some facts involved here the many stories do not publish out side of the air bags not working and the key was found off.
The Driver of this car did survive permanently disables. She did hit a Phone terminal box and pole and a clump of trees. She was speeding at the time. She was not wearing a seat belt.
The passenger named here was in the front seat and was killed but was not wearing a seat belt.
The other passenger named here was in the back seat and had no air bag and was not wearing a seat belt.
The car even with the ignition key to the off positions was fully steerable and had full brakes and vacuum power to stop a car at the legal rate of speed.
I know we all have different opinions on this topic but I thought the rest of the facts should be posted to make it a fair assessment.
GM did put a bad switch in the car but there were also other factors in play here that would have changed the outcome significantly.