General Motors has issued a safety recall for nearly 200,000 model year 2005 through 2007 sport utility vehicles. The recall was issued as a result of alleged fire hazards that may result from problems with the electrical system in a number of vehicles manufactured by the company. In 2012, a similar recall was issued for almost 300,000 vehicles in select states where often corrosive road salt is used. The expanded recall now includes affected Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy, GMC Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x models in New Mexico and across the nation.
The additional recall was reportedly issued at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Previously, the automobile manufacturer stated water could become trapped inside of the vehicle door and cause power windows and locks to short circuit. According to General Motors spokesperson Alan Adler, 58 fires and 11 injuries have resulted from the vehicle defects. He added that General Motors was only notified of six fires and one minor injury in states not included in the original recall. Adler said the problem appeared to be more prevalent in areas where water and slush may enter a vehicle door during the winter.
Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director for The Center for Auto Safety said the additional recall proves that regional recalls like the one issued by General Motors last year are inadequate. He reportedly believes the cost saving measure does not reach all unsafe vehicles. Ditlow stated the safety recall should have been issued across the entire nation in the first place. It is unclear why General Motors was allowed to issue a regional recall since the NHTSA required Honda to issue a nationwide recall for a similar issue related to nearly half a million vehicles in 2012.
Some traffic wrecks are caused by a defective product such as a tire or automobile. Unfortunately, such accidents can result in catastrophic injury or death for a motorist or passenger. A defective product is one that is negligently manufactured, designed, or tested, and someone is hurt as a result. In addition, a design defect may cause a person to become injured by a product even where it was manufactured according to specifications. If you or a close relative was harmed by an unsafe product, you may have the right to collect financial compensation for your injuries from the manufacturer or the distributor.
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed by a defective automobile or other product in New Mexico, you should contact the Fine Law Firm today. Our hardworking Santa Fe personal injury attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience representing individuals who were hurt through no fault of their own throughout the State of New Mexico. At the Fine Law Firm, our caring lawyers are available to help you collect the compensation you deserve following an unexpected injury or accident. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with a quality advocate, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Fine Law Firm through our website. You may also give us a call at (505) 889-3463.
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Reliability of Las Cruces Red Light Cameras Called Into Question, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 17, 2013
Man Arrested for DWI Following Albuquerque Injury Accident, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, May 29, 2013
Additional Resources:
G.M. to Expand Last Year’s Limited Recall of S.U.V.’s, by Christopher Jensen, New York Times