Colorado Woman Sues GM After Devastating Car Accident
Colorado Woman Sues GM After Devastating Car Accident
Kristin Hopkins, 45, has filed an auto product liability lawsuit against General Motors after a harrowing crash in April 2014 that left her trapped in her car and resulted in both of her legs being amputated below the knees.
According to an ABC News report, the crash occurred when Hopkins’ 2009 Chevrolet Malibu plummeted from a roadway.
A lawsuit against GM alleges “inadequate quality control methods” and “inappropriate manufacturing practices” caused the crash.
The complaint states that the car’s power steering, electronic stability control and panic braking assist, all failed.
Hopkins’ attorney said that had these vehicle functions not failed, the crash would not have occurred. Hopkins received a recall letter from GM about her 2009 Chevy Malibu approximately two months after the crash.
The single mother of four spent six days inside her wrecked car as she suffered from hypothermia. Passersby eventually spotted the car in the tangled trees and called for help.
Hopkins is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and is learning to walk with her prosthetic legs.
Chevy Malibu Recall
On May 14, 2014, General Motors issued a recall for several vehicle models including 2004-2012 Chevy Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003 through October 11, 2012.
According to documents GM filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor circuit.
These fluctuations could cause several problems with the vehicles including disengagement of cruise control and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control and panic brake assist features.
Holding Automakers Accountable
In this particular case, the GM vehicle involved in the accident was actually recalled for the problems that allegedly caused or contributed to the victim’s crash and catastrophic injuries.
However, there are millions of vehicles out there that are defective, but have not been recalled.
If you have been injured in a crash and you suspect your vehicle was defective, please preserve your car unaltered so an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects, malfunctions and design flaws.
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
An experienced auto defect attorney can help injured victims and their families secure fair and full compensation for all their losses by holding the negligent automaker and/or parts manufacturer accountable.
