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Wreck Your Car? You Can Still Sue GM

By Mat Probasco,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 28, 2009 7:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – General Motors had hoped to emerge from bankruptcy with a protective coating against future product-liability suits. No such luck, reports the Wall Street Journal. Bowing to government pressure, GM has agreed to change its bankruptcy terms, allowing drivers injured in accidents that stem from vehicle defects to sue the company, rather than join other "unsecured creditors" scavenging the remnants of its former estate.

GM says it isn't required to face such claims—noting that Chrysler avoids responsibility for them in its deal with Fiat—but took responsibility anyway at the insistence of several state attorneys general, the White House auto task force, and consumer advocacy groups. One car-accident victims committee says there are currently more than $1.25 billion in claims against GM.

One car-accident victims committee says there are more than 300 personal injury claims against GM exceeding $1.25 billion.
One car-accident victims committee says there are more than 300 personal injury claims against GM exceeding $1.25 billion.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
General Motors has agreed to change its bankruptcy agreement and allow product-liability plaintiffs to sue the company, not fight over its former estate.
General Motors has agreed to change its bankruptcy agreement and allow product-liability plaintiffs to sue the company, not fight over its former estate.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, file)
Government officials and consumer advocates had argued General Motors' original plan%u2014to deflect future plaintiffs to its former estate%u2014violated car-accident victims' legal rights.
Government officials and consumer advocates had argued General Motors' original plan%u2014to deflect future plaintiffs to its former estate%u2014violated car-accident victims' legal rights.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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