Drivers' convictions overturned after recall

Many California motorists were affected by the February 2014 General Motors recall due to a faulty ignition in some vehicles. Since then, several people who were charged with or convicted of crimes such as vehicular homicide have had their charges reversed or are struggling to clear their names and get compensation from the auto manufacturer.

People who were convicted were not believed when they reported the car suddenly speeding up or slowing down, but these are the effects of the ignition fault. One woman spent three months in jail after a friend died in an accident in which she lost power to her brakes and steering. Her guilty plea has now been erased, and she has asked to be found innocent and has received monetary compensation from General Motors. A woman charged with negligent homicide in connection with a 2004 accident that killed her fiance has had her guilty plea reversed, and her lawyer expects more people who have faced similar charges to come forward.

A man who spent six months in jail has also received compensation and is now seeking to have his conviction for negligent homicide overturned. Another man, who was charged after the recall and only had charges dropped after a private investigator linked the accident to the defect, rejected the compensation offer from General Motors. He has filed a lawsuit against the company.

Identifying the responsible party in an accident can be complex, and while another driver may be responsible, defective parts may also be to blame. If another driver is responsible, that driver's insurance company may offer compensation, but it may be too little to cover medical expenses. Those who are injured in motor vehicle accidents may wish to consult an attorney who might be able to ensure that they are adequately compensated for the damages that they have sustained.