Some Convicted in Car Crashes Now Blame Defects in the Cars They Drove
How many drivers convicted in car crashes can now blame the accidents on car defects?
A growing number of people convicted for their role in car crashes resulting in serious injuries or fatalities are now seeking vindication based on the defects of the cars they were driving at the time. One young woman, Lakisha Ward-Green, spent 3 months in jail after being convicted in an accident in which her teenaged passenger was killed. A Pennsylvania judge has now ruled that the General Motors car she was driving when the accident occurred was one of those later recalled by the company for its defective ignition switch. Her car was one of 2.6 million cars recalled with the problem.
Serious scandals involve other automobile manufacturers besides General Motors, including Toyota, and now, recently, Volkswagen. Many of the recalled cars have been on the road for as much as decade or more, so it is clear that there will be an increasing number of lawsuits against car companies, holding them responsible for undisclosed defects. Also, many cases in which drivers have been found guilty of reckless or negligent driving, some of whom may have already paid high fines, had their licenses suspended or revoked, or who may have spent, or may be spending, time in prison, may now have the option of challenging their convictions based on new evidence of defects in the cars they were driving.
Because of the time that has, in many cases, elapsed between the accident and the automobile recall, however, it may be difficult to reassess facts and assign responsibility to the car company, let alone assign damages. Still, experts feel that there will be an increasing number of cases involving wrongful convictions in the coming days.
If you believe that your automobile is a lemon, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable lemon law attorney.