South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Chevrolet Volt runs a serious risk of bursting into flames after a serious side-collision, as could potentially happen in a car accident in Stuart City. Recently, the NHTSA conducted a number of crash tests on the vehicle to determine how well it could protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a side collision. During one of the tests, the car’s battery was damaged and a coolant line cracked. Afterward, the car faced increased risks of a fire and eventually experienced one. The NHTSA is working with the Department of Energy (DOE), General Motors (GM) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct thorough tests to determine what exactly happened, how to prevent these incidents and how to correct them.
The findings from the NHTSA have consumers worried. GM is helping by offering to buy the car back from owners. Our Stuart City defective vehicles lawyers understand that the chief executive of General Motors, Dan Akerson, said the company will happily purchase back the Chevy Volt from any concerned consumer. The NHTSA has not completed its investigation into the incident and an official recall has not been made, but GM is willing to ease the minds of consumers before a real problem happens.
“While the investigation is going on, we will do whatever it takes to allay concerns and keep our customers happy,” said GM spokesman Greg Martin, “and if that includes repurchase, we will work individually with any customer.”
Martin says that if GM’s engineering team and NHTSA finds out what exactly is causing the fires then the motor-vehicle company will recall and retrofit those who already own the vehicle.
There have been nearly 10,000 sold so far. About 30 owners have already hit up the company for loaner vehicles until the investigation is complete. The details of the repurchase plan haven’t been determined yet.
Jessica Caldwell, an auto analyst, says that GM is fortunate to have only sold about 10,000 of these vehicles. Results could have been much worse both financially and logistically if the Chevrolet Volt was a more popular vehicle. Experts don’t expect many consumers will likely sell back the vehicle, considering it offers roughly 40 miles per gallon and that the fires happen weeks are a side collision.
“There are a couple of mistakes that have been made, but we all trying to do the right things,” said Mark Reuss, GM’s North America chief. “We are moving fast.”
Consumers are urged to do their research before purchasing a new vehicle. Everyone should visit the Safecars.gov website to check out the latest safety recalls. You can also check out vehicles’ safety ratings and other cool features. Be a smart consumer and do your homework to help prevent an accident from a defective vehicle.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a defective car accident in Stuart, West Palm Beach or the surrounding areas, contact the Law Offices of Dean H. Freeman for legal assistance. For a free initial consultation call 800-529-2368.
Additional Resources:
Volt doesn’t go far enough, by Christopher Evans, Car Smart
More Blog Entries:
Florida measures would force victims to share fault in Fort Lauderdale accidents caused by vehicle defects, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, April 11, 2011
Defective vehicles a risk in Port St. Lucie car accidents, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, December 28, 2010