General Motors has announced that it will begin to compensate the families of the victims of car accidents due a faulty switch installed in 2.6 million of its vehicles.
They have hired lawyer Kenneth R. Feinberg, a compensation specialist, to draw up the details of the fund and to handle its administration.
Feinberg has said that the size of the settlement to the families of those killed or seriously injured would be based on a variety of factors including age at the time of the incident, future earning potential, and medical expenses. It would also depend on the nature of the injury. Awards were expected to begin at a million dollars with no upper limit.
Those who were less seriously injured would receive compensation depending on how long they were in hospital, with payments beginning at $20,000 and going up to $500,000 for those hospitalized for more than a month.
It is not yet known how many of the victims might take part in the scheme as opposed to taking General Motors to court for damages, although Feinberg expects the situation to be similar to 9/11, when 90% of the victims chose to be compensated via a fund rather than go to court.
If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious auto accident with a teen driver, please call the at Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC at 801-990-0500 or contact us online today. We have the experience and expertise needed to help you get the compensation you deserve.
