BMW Issues Fire Hazard Recall

BMW is recalling over 1 million vehicles in North America due to a potential fire hazard. In what is actually two separate recalls, the automobile manufacturer is recalling 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, and is looking at potentially expanding the recall to other countries. The recall was announced on November 3, 2017.

According to Reuters, BMW announced the recall after meetings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The manufacturer is recalling 670,000 3-series vehicles from model years 2006-2011, and 740,000 vehicles from model years 2007-2011 including 128i vehicles, 3-Series, 5-Series and X3, X5, and Z4 vehicles. The first recall is due to a wiring issue in the heating and air conditioning system that could potentially cause the system to overheat and start a fire. The second recall is due to a valve heater that may rust, also potentially resulting in a fire.

The Chicago Tribune reported that BMW was first made aware of the wiring issue in 2008. There were no reports of injuries caused by the wiring issue from 2007-2014, but in 2015 BMW learned of a situation that resulted in injuries caused by the wiring problem. Regarding the issue with the valve heater, BMW first received a report in 2009 about an issue that occurred in 2007. Luckily, no injuries caused by the valve heater have been reported.

Vehicle recalls can be nerve wracking, but in both of these instances, the recalls are precautionary and the odds of a fire are small. The recall officially goes into effect on December 18, 2017. After that date, BMW has 60 days to notify drivers of the affected vehicles by mail, letting them know their vehicle is under recall. If you believe your vehicle is under recall but do not hear anything from the manufacturer, or want to be proactive about knowing the status of your vehicle, you can go to www.safercar.gov or www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your vehicle’s VIN to see if it is under recall. Or, click on the button below.

All BMW dealers will repair wiring harnesses, valve heaters, and any other parts necessary to resolve the issues. Drivers can take their vehicles to any BMW dealer to have their vehicle fixed - it doesn’t need to be the dealer they bought the vehicle from. Drivers should be patient, as a recall as large as this will likely have a lengthy waiting list for repairs. Most importantly, drivers shouldn’t panic. BMW has not said that the vehicles are unsafe to drive, so drivers can continue to use their vehicles without worry of getting involved in recall related car accidents.

No matter how much research you put into purchasing your vehicle, or how well you maintain it, it is virtually impossible to predict or prevent your vehicle from being recalled. Recalls can be stressful, but they are a part of being a car owner.  By being proactive about checking your car’s VIN for recalls and paying attention to any mail you receive from the manufacturer, you can help prevent being involved in any recall car crashes. Should you find your vehicle under recall, remain calm, and learn what necessary steps need to be taken in order to repair your car to make it safe for you and your family.

Car accidents caused by mechanical failure and faulty defects are rare when compared to those caused by human error, but they still happen. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident which was the result of a recalled car defect, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those caused by car recall defects. 

General Motors Settles Faulty Ignition Switch Cases

Three years after the initial recall was announced and over a decade since the defect was initially detected, General Motors (GM), has been ordered to pay a $120 million settlement regarding their massive ignition switch defect scandal. According to the Detroit Free Press, the settlement was announced on October 19, 2017, and is settling claims in multiple states. The ignition switch defect killed 124 people and injured 275 more.

The defect was found in smaller cars such as the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion, which were made by the old GM. The defective ignition switch caused the cars’ engines to stall and prevented airbags from deploying, all while the car was in motion. GM recalled 2.7 million vehicles in 2014 due to this issue. The state of Michigan will be receiving $4.3 million, which will be put in the state’s general fund. The settlement does not include payments GM has made/is making to families of those killed or injured in accidents caused by the defective ignition switch.

The recall is one of the largest in the U.S., and has a timeline spanning over a decade. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office said in a statement that "certain employees of GM knew as early as 2004 that the ignition switch posed a safety defect because it could prevent airbags from deploying. However, despite this knowledge, GM personnel decided it wasn’t a safety concern and delayed making recalls. GM continued to market the reliability and safety of its motor vehicles which were equipped with this defective ignition switch.”

According to NPR, GM first noticed a problem with the defective ignition switch in 2001 during pre-testing of the Saturn Ion. An inquiry was launched looking into this, and was closed in 2003, saying the problem had been fixed. GM again noticed the same defect in 2004 during production of the Chevrolet Cobalt, but rejected a proposal in March of 2005 to fix the issue due to the time and money it would require. In December of that same year, GM released a statement saying the defect occurs when "the driver is short and has a large and/or heavy key chain...the customer should be advised of this potential and should ... [remove] unessential items from their key chain, ” but did not issue a recall.

Fast forward to 2007, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a probe into the issue, but closed it saying they found no correlation between the faulty ignition switch and the complaints they received. Another NHTSA probe of the issue was opened and closed in 2010. By the end of 2013, GM had officially linked the faulty ignition switch to 31 car collisions and 13 deaths. Finally in February of 2014, the defect was officially reported to the NHTSA and the initial recall was launched. More recalls were issued in March, April, and May of that year.

On the day the settlement was announced, GM said in a statement that “the resolution includes a financial component, and assures GM will continue ongoing improvements made to ensure the safety of its vehicles. These improvements include continuation of a new organizational structure devoted to global vehicle safety and the company’s Speak Up for Safety program.”

Hopefully, GM is serious about this commitment to safety, and another car safety recall such as this could be avoided. While recalls are often for relatively minor issues, the number of injuries and fatalities due to the GM ignition switch defect shows that recalls need to be taken seriously. Drivers need to pay attention when recalls are announced, and be proactive about checking their car’s VIN number to make sure their vehicles are safe to drive. While some mechanical issues are impossible to predict, knowing if your car is under recall is something all drivers are responsible for, not only for their own safety, but for the safety of their passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Regardless of whether or not your vehicle is under recall, car accidents due to mechanical failures happen. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident due to a recall, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation.

Accident Shows The Dangers of DIY Car Repair

A 65-year old Michigan man died after being pinned by an SUV on September 10, 2017. Dennis Peters, of Mayfield Township, Michigan, was struck by a car he was attempting to repair according to the Detroit Free Press. Peters was attempting to fix the brakes on a friend’s car. Someone moved the car, but the brakes were not functioning properly, so the kept going and hit Peters, pinning him against the garage. Mr. Peters' death is being investigated as an accident.

This story may sound somewhat familiar to readers of The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC blog. Last summer, we wrote about the death of actor Anton Yelchin. Yelchin was also killed after being pinned by his own SUV. Even though Yelchin placed his Jeep Cherokee in park and exited the vehicle, the car started rolling down the steep driveway it was parked in and pinned Yelchin against a brick pillar. This accident, however, was caused due to a faulty gear shift problem which was under recall from Chrysler Fiat.

Thankfully, deaths due to faulty brakes are relatively uncommon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey in 2015, in which they looked at the critical causes of car accidents. It was discovered that out of the approximately 2,200,000 accidents that took place between 2005 and 2007, 44,000 were due to an issue with the vehicle. Of this 44,000, faulty brakes attributed to 10,000 accidents. While this number may seem relatively small, it is certainly not the same as 0 deaths.

Fixing faulty brakes is a job that people often try to undertake themselves, rather than taking the car to a professional mechanic. Many think fixing malfunctioning brakes is one of the easier repair jobs on a car, but it is more difficult than people realize, and it is critical to get it right. When not done properly, the consequences can be deadly, as unfortunately seen in Mayfield Township. Fixing brakes doesn’t just involve repairing the brake pads, but also the calipers, rotors, wheel bearings, and brake fluid. Not properly repairing any one of these items can lead to a car malfunctioning, which could potentially lead to a car crash.

According to Auto Notebook, there are a few reasons why drivers decide to undertake car repair projects on their own, rather than going to a mechanic. Saving money is the most commonly cited reason. On top of that, video tutorials, detailed instructions, make and model information, and high quality pictures can now all be found online, making drivers much more confident in their abilities to fix their own car.

However despite popular belief, at home car repairs are not always going to be cheaper, especially in the long run. It's understandable that buying a $10 can of do-it-yourself (DIY) crack filler to fix a cracked windshield sounds a lot better than paying someone to fix it for $75, but when the DIY fix doesn’t work and the window shatters, it can cost $500 to replace it. More so, engines and transmissions are the most complicated parts of a car, and when the average Joe tries and fails to fix these parts himself, it can cost up to $7,000 each to replace them. On top of the monetary cost, any job that involves jacking up a car and crawling underneath, such as replacing shock absorbers, can be extremely dangerous, and is best left to a professional. From an expensive ER bill for a crushed hand, to causing a car crash on the highway due to a bad brake repair job, the risks of DIY car maintenance greatly outweigh any potential benefit. 

Fixing your car yourself may sound very appealing - you can potentially save money, save time, and claim bragging rights to your friends and family about how smoothly you got your car running. However, without the proper training or experience, fixing your own car has the potential to be deadly or at the very least, costly. Changing a tire on the side of the road is one thing, trying to untangle the maze of wires in your very expensive transmission is quite another. Therefore, taking your car to a professional mechanic is the easiest and safest way to ensure that your car is maintained properly and safely. 

Accidents can still happen, regardless of how well taken care of your car is. If you have been involved in a automobile accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car accident law suits, including those caused by recall defects or faulty car parts.

Defective Gas Tank Part Investigation Is Ongoing

According to Claims Journal, the NHTSA has started investigating certain auto parts which appear to be made by Continental Automotive GmbH, a German auto parts manufacturer, after the manufacturer filed paperwork indicating that there is a possibility of defective parts and that a recall will take place. A Continental spokesperson has went on the record saying "[o]ur filing is signaling that basically there’s a potential defect and here’s who we sold it to." The full extent of this auto part recall remains to be seen.

Bloomberg has recently reported that the "recalls so far affect certain Porsche Macan, Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and VW Touareg SUVs sold over the last decade. The fuel pump flange is generally mounted in the fuel tank and closes an opening used to mount other fuel and vapor management." It has also been reported that Continental may have also supplied the potentially defective fuel pump flanges to McLaren, Lamborghini, and Volvo, as well as multiple auto suppliers.

Continental has said that it is communicating with those who may have been impacted by the gas tank part being investigated.  The potential number of vehicles involved in this recall is still being determined, but estimates "could spread to millions of other vehicle" according to Claims Journal.

The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC is a Birmingham, Michigan personal injury firm. Our Metro Detroit law office handles all types of injury accidents and seeks to recover monetary damages for our clients. Call our law office today at 844.4MI.FIRM (844.464.3476) for a free consultation.  Speak to an accident attorney today. 

FTC Sued For Approving Used Cars With Recall Defects

The old adage, "it's too good to be true" comes to mind in the light the news that used cars sale representatives have been approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to sell used cars as certified, despite some of them having safety defects. Some of those defects include vehicles or parts under recall that have yet to be fixed. However, used car salespeople can still sell the cars as 'safe' or as subjected to 'rigorous inspection' vehicles just as long as they post a notice prior to the purchase of the vehicle stating that it may be under recall notice and by providing the buyer with the information to discover if the vehicle is under recall. 

CBS News listed that the defects may include exploding faulty Takata air bags in addition to other defects that can cause serious to fatal injuries such as, defective ignition switches, problems with the power steering, and damaged brakes. The FTC came to the decision during a settlement with General Motors (GM) and 2 used car dealers.

Opponents Of Recall Defective Car Sales

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not approve of the FTCs ruling. In fact, the FTC's agreement goes against NHTSA policy. The NHTSA's policy, which they unfortunately don't have the power to enforce, says that used cars must be inspected and fixed before being resold. 

Seconding the NHTSA's view on the issue, Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) said, “The FTCs reckless action will result in more people being killed and injured because of unsafe, defective used cars.” To back up their words with actions, Shahan’s organization is fighting along with a few Democratic senators, the Center for Auto Safety, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group against the FTC. “It’s a dangerous and irresponsible abuse of the commission’s authority,” Shahan continued. Now the FTC is facing a lawsuit from the 3 organizations on the grounds of consumer safety.  

The legislative director for the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, Deidre Cummings also said to NBC News that, "The Federal Trade Commission is supposed to crack down on false and misleading advertising, but instead they are encouraging it. They should have protected consumers, but chose to protect reckless car dealers.”

How Defective Car Sales Affect The Auto Industry 

Many view the FTC's decision as a change in the auto buying industry. This may lead to car dealers altering their policies to reflect monetary benefits for themselves instead of safety measures for the consumers. In fact some changes have already been made. Ford has already modified their policies to include recall defects such as the Takata airbag. Ford Dealers can now sell vehicles with faulty parts as 'certified' as long as the word 'safe' is not utilized at anytime in the sale. Used Ford buyers will then sign an agreement noting that they are aware of the safety issue and agree to be contacted by the Ford dealer once the replacement parts arrive. 

In defense of their new policy, Sara Tatchio of Ford Communications stated that, “The safety of our customers is our top priority. Our dealers must complete all recalls when parts are available. In the extremely rare instance when parts are not available, our policy is that dealers must clearly disclose the situation including printing the open recall information and handing it to the prospective customer. As soon as parts are available, the dealer will then prioritize completing the open recall.”

How Consumers Can Protect Themselves From Recalls

They are few things consumers can do to safeguard themselves from buying a used vehicle that may have recall defects.

  • Look up a vehicle's Identification number (VIN) in the NHTSA’s recall lookup tool. The NHTSA’s system will show any outstanding recalls that have yet to be fixed on the vehicle.
  • Get a vehicle's history report on websites like CarFax to see if the car has been involved in any accidents, if any original parts have been replaced, and if it has been regularly and properly maintained. 
  • Before making a vehicle purchase, ask the salesperson about the history of the car and whether any defects or other safety problems have been made aware to them. 
  • Even if the vehicle list it has been subjected to "rigorous inspection" or as is labeled "safe," get it inspected anyway by a qualified mechanic before buying it. Try to find an auto shop that doesn't have ties to the dealership that the vehicle is being sold from. 

These tips are not 100% effective in every used car buying scenario but in general, they may ease the trepidation one may have in buying a used car. Hopefully, armed with the knowledge of past or present recalls and mechanic history, used car buyers can make an informed decision on what vehicle would serve their needs best while keeping them and others safe. After all, getting involved in a car accident due to a faulty or defective car part because you didn't due your due diligence in researching a used car before purchasing it, is an unfortunate way to harm yourself. 

Car recall lookup tools provided by government websites and agencies such as the NHTSA are one ideal way to make sure that car buyers are truly purchasing safe cars. It is unfortunate that the FTC would approve of the sale of cars with defective parts, thereby making buyers unable to trust the CPO seal that guarantees buyers that they are buying a recall-free vehicle. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident caused by a vehicle under recall, call 844.4MI.FIRM and speak to the experienced staff at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. We provide free consultations to discuss your legal options.

Dangerous Takata Air Bag Inflators Are Still On The Market

Since early 2015, The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC blog has informed and kept readers updated on the Takata air bag scandal, in which faulty air bag inflators exploded, either randomly or when deployed in car accidents, when the chemical propellant inside degraded. In the latest news, it was discovered that the government overlooked a glaring error while attempting to rid vehicles of defective Takata air bags when they came to an agreement back in January, 2107. Under federal law it is completely legal for junkyards to sell previously or currently recalled and other wrecked vehicle parts to repair shops that later can be placed into other cars. The transaction is easy to do since there isn't a government agency that currently tracks the purchases, nor a state that has laws against the reuse of recalled vehicle parts. This means that faulty Takata air bags have been sold from junkyards and repurposed in cars that people are currently driving.

How To Avoid Buying A Faulty Car

A reused faulty air bag is the reason why Karen Dorado suffered from a punctured trachea, neck injuries, and damaged vocal cords after getting in a minor car crash on March 3, 2017. Dorado’s father bought her a Honda Accord so that she would have reliable transportation to get her back and forth to work and was unaware, at the time, of the car’s history. This history includes a car accident in Phoenix, Arizona in 2015 that declared the vehicle to be totaled and was later salvaged, repaired, and sold in Las Vegas on March 2016. The inflator however, was traced to a 2001 Accord that had been under recall, but had yet to be serviced and must have been stolen or replaced by a junkyard that sold it to the shop that repaired Dorado’s Honda Accord. 

Dorado is only one of almost 200 people injured or killed by the faulty Takata inflators. To avoid getting into car accidents in tricky situations such as Dorado's it is recommended that anyone who is looking to purchase a vehicle first check it's complete purchase and repair history. Auto history trackers like Carfax or AutoCheck are resourceful sites that research the history of used vehicles so that potential buyers will have an idea of any problems they could possibly be inheriting by purchasing a used vehicle.

Takata's Air Bag Buy Back Program

Takata now has a program in place that will buy up any of their air bags to take them out of circulation. In fact, Takata has already purchased around 60,000 of them. However, this still doesn’t prevent future buyers of used or salvaged cars from potential danger even when searching the car's VIN number on websites like the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is only allowed to monitor reported vehicles and not car parts, whether they are reported or not. An NHTSA spokeswoman admitted as much to the L.A. Times stating that, “The federal government has no authority over used car sales and cannot stop air bags from being resold.”

Acting director of the Center for Auto Safety Michael Brooks, said,

“People should be suspicious of cars with salvage titles because there is no way of knowing where the parts came from or the quality of the repair work. Although some are safe, stolen or counterfeit parts can be used.”

Update On The Takata Air Bag Scandal

On January 13, 2017 Federal Detroit prosecutors announced that a settlement was reached with Takata over their defective air bag inflators that would cause debris to explode upon impact. The settlement agreement includes Takata pleading guilty to wire fraud, paying $1 billion in criminal penalties, and the indictment of 3 former Takata executives, Shinichi Tanaka, 59; Hideo Nakajima, 65; and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, 61. Roughly $125 million of the fine is going to go to those who were injured by the air bag - if they haven't received a separate settlement - while $850 million will go to automakers who have incurred debt over replacement costs for the air bags. Takata was also ordered to recall the almost 100 million air bags, in phases, which should be completed by the end of 2019.

Drivers are encouraged to make sure their vehicle has been recently serviced in order to prevent serious injuries and death resulting from the Takata air bag inflators. Future car buyers who may be purchasing a used car or salvaging a current one should be vigilant in making sure that the car parts are purchased from a state approved auto shop. At the very least, any one in the used car buying market should should look up the history of their car's parts.

Although, Takata is now compensating families for their loss, it comes a little too late for those who have lost a loved one due to their negligence. Now, the horror continues through sales of salvaged parts that is completely legal under federal law. If you or someone you know was injured due to faulty air bags or any other recall defect, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. today. We will work hard to earn you any compensation you may be entitled to.

Anton Yelchin's Parents File Lawsuit Against Fiat Chrysler

Back on August 9, 2016 The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC blog informed readers that actor Anton Yelchin's parents had filed a wrongful death and product liability lawsuit against Fiat-Chrysler and the dealership that sold Yelchin his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Yelchin was an actor best known for his role as Chekov in the remake of the fan-beloved Star Trek film franchise. Reuters reported that Yelchin had driven back to his home to grab an item he thought he had forgotten and hopped out of his vehicle thinking it was in park. However, the car began to roll backwards along Yelchin’s steep driveway crushing the 27-year-old.  This motor vehicle vs pedestrian accident caused his tragic death. It was later discovered that Yelchin's vehicle was under recall for a defective gear shift.

Late Recall Letter

811,000 vehicles nationwide and 1.1 million cars and SUVs globally, were affected by the recall. The auto recall covered models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Sport from the 2014-2015 model year, and models of the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300 Sedans from the 2012-2014 model years.

The lawyer representing Yelchin's parents contended that a recall letter arrived seven days after Yelchin’s death, which was obviously too late to be of use to the late actor. The Yelchin lawyer has since chosen to reveal the contents of the undated letter which stated, "Your vehicle may roll away, striking and injuring you, your passengers, or bystanders, if the vehicle's engine is left running, the parking brake is not engaged, and the transmission is not in the "PARK" position before exiting the vehicle."

In response to the lawsuit, the Valencia, California dealership that sold Yelchin the Jeep, submitted a request to be removed from the wrongful death lawsuit. Their explanation for the request was that Yelchin should be blamed for his own death due to the "misuse, misapplication, or damage” of the vehicle. The New York Daily news reported that the dealership accused Yelchin's parents of tampering with the Jeep after the accident and that they suggested that Yelchin himself made adaptations to the Jeep shortly after purchasing it.

Fiat-Chrysler Recall

In light of Yelchin’s death and the Jeep recall, his parents were not the only ones that sued over the defective gear shift. In fact, seven more class action lawsuits from California, Tennessee, and New York have been filed and are being consolidated here in Michigan, close to Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles' (FCA) U.S. headquarters, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Additional lawsuits like one from Texas involving a San Antonio woman jumping from her roll-away Jeep, seem to filed more and more frequently. Sonya Dawson, 49, parked her 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee before she exited the running vehicle and closed the door. Dawson alleges seeing the vehicle starting to roll backwards out of the corner of her eye and then began to give chase to stop her vehicle. She tried stopping it by pressing down on the brakes but was ejected.  The car ran her food over causing significant foot injuries.  Her personal injury attorney argues that the shifter doesn't include a safety override to allow drivers to exit the vehicle when it is not in park. 

Yelchin's story shows the importance of automakers sending recall notices out in a timely fashion - preferably as soon as the malfunction is discovered. In turn, owners of those vehicles owe it to the safety of themselves and others to quickly get the vehicle serviced by the manufacturer and/or their certified mechanics.

It is important to take immediate action when a vehicle is under recall. Ignoring the recall or getting the vehicle serviced too late may lead to serious consequences such as minor and fatal injuries and death, if the vehicle's malfunctions lead to a car accident and the possibility of serious injury.

Drivers who are interested in knowing if their vehicle is under recall are encouraged to look up their VIN number on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website. Have you or someone you know been injured in an accident involving a vehicle under recall? If so, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation today. Contact us at 844.4MI.FIRM.

Toyota's Braking and Steering Issues May Lead to Recall

Toyota is now under federal investigation after two crashes and five injuries have been linked to steering and braking problems in over 100,000 Toyota sport utility vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Reuters that it has 135 complaints from 2001-2002 Toyota Sequoia SUV owners citing incidents of unexpected vehicle stability control activations which have resulted in automatic braking of the left or right wheel, as well as unexpected steering pull.

Before a recall is deemed necessary, the NHTSA will conduct a preliminary probe into the vehicle’s issues. About half of the complaints which have been filed said the problems were caused by a faulty sensor, and most complaints reported unexpected activation at highway speeds which led to drivers feeling a “jerk” from their steering wheel. According to the Reuters article, this is not the first time this decade that Toyota has had to consider recalling their vehicles. In 2010, Toyota recalled 50,000 2003 Sequoia SUVs because the vehicle stability control system could activate at low speeds. Toyota insisted at the time that the issue was not a safety issue, but the company agreed to recall the vehicles.

“We are aware that the NHTSA has opened a Preliminary Evaluation concerning the 2001 and 2002 model year Sequoia. Customer safety and satisfaction is a top priority for Toyota. We will cooperate with the agency in its investigation, as we have previously,” Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight said in a statement. Knight also requested that any drivers who may be experiencing similar issues with their vehicles should contact their dealers immediately. 

Is your car driving on its own but is not an self-driving car? Car defects that are not properly repaired or replaced can lead to severe injuries and even death. If you see a recall out for your vehicle, even if it's for a minor defect, it is important that you have your car fixed or replaced as soon as possible. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident which was caused by a car defect, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys will fight to the fullest extent of the law to get you the help necessary for you to recover from your injuries. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Actor Anton Yelchin's Parents File Lawsuit Against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The parents of late actor Anton Yelchin have spoken out after filing a wrongful death and product liability lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this week, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Anton was our only son and was a remarkable human being. It is wrong, it is against nature when parents bury their own child,” Victor Yelchin, Anton’s father, said at a media conference. 

The 27-year-old actor, who was most recently a part of the highly successful and popular film, Star Trek Beyond, was killed by his own vehicle June 19th, 2016 when he left his California home for rehearsal. According to the police report, Yelchin had exited his Jeep Grand Cherokee, leaving it parked in his driveway. The car, which was subject for a recall from Fiat Chrysler, started to roll down the steep driveway, and pinned Yelchin against a brick pillar and security fence. Los Angeles County medical examiners determined that Yelchin’s death was accidental and was caused by “blunt traumatic asphyxia.” 

The actor’s SUV was included in a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles by Fiat Chrysler. Gary Dordick, the family’s lawyer says that a May recall notice sent out by the car company to notify the public of the recall wasn’t found in Yelchin’s possession, and a second letter was mailed to Yelchin’s home seven days after he had died. “The safety recall was way too little and way too late,” said Dordick. “We hope this lawsuit will teach them a lesson.” 

Dordick also said that the type of vehicle Yelchin was driving had over 700 rolling incidents and dozens of people injured, but there was a lack of response from the automaker. “The problem with the gear shift is that people mistakenly think it’s in park and there’s no warning,” Dordick explained. A government investigation into the gear shift found 266 crashes which injured 68 people, as of late June 2016. 

The Detroit Free Press reported that at the time of Yelchin’s death, Fiat Chrysler extended it’s “most sincere condolences” to his family and friends. However, on Tuesday, the Yelchins said the company had not directly apologized for the incident. Within an hour of the family’s press conference, Fiat Chrysler sent out another statement: 

“We extend our sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss. The company has not been served with a lawsuit and cannot comment further at this time. FCA US urges customers to follow the instructions in their owners manuals and the information cards sent with their recall notices. These instructions include advising customers to set the parking brakes in their vehicles before exiting.”

Car defects and malfunctions can cause drivers to lose complete control of their vehicle, which can put their lives and the lives of others at risk. Therefore, any notices of recalls should be evaluated seriously. It is important to make sure that your car dealer or the maker of your automobile has your most current address, to ensure that you receive notification of any recalls in the mail. If you or somebody you know has been injured in a car accident which was caused by a car defect, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys will work alongside you to get you the help you need, including any reimbursement for medical services, wage loss, or pain and suffering that you may be entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.