Family blames General Motors for South Carolina man's death
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1.6 million cars recalled for faulty ignition switch
Liz Lohuis
GREENVILLE, S.C. —General Motors is coming under fire for what some are calling a botched recall that cost lives.
According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, GM knew there were problems with an ignition switch in some of their cars but chose not to recall them.
Allen Ray Floyd died in July 2009 in Horry County. His family is suing GM, saying the company's carelessness led to his death.
“A 26-year-old wound up dead. It's pretty devastating,” said Victoria Burrows, the victim’s aunt.
Burrows said it was a clear sunny day. Her nephew Allen Ray Floyd was less than a half mile from home when his car veered off the road and crashed into a tree. He was killed.
“After a while you get over the hurt, and then you become angry about it,” said Burrows.
The car was a 2005 Cobalt.
Attorneys for Allen's family believe it was a faulty ignition switch that caused him to lose control.
They also said GM knew about the problem but chose not to recall the vehicles.
“General Motors knew the switch was defective, and once they found that out, their course of action was to start putting the new part into new vehicles but never told those who had the defective switch,” said attorney William Jordan III.
Allen's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“A lot of it has to do with people taking responsibility for their actions and I think we should hold these people responsible,” said Burrows.
The Jordan Law Center in Greenville is representing the family.
Attorneys said the lawsuit is not only about getting justice for Allen's loved ones, but also pushing for changes in the auto industry.
“A healthy effort by manufacturers to get out in front of potential lawsuits would be a really nice thing to see, even if it cuts into their profit margins,” said attorney William Jordan Jr.
Several lawsuits have been filed against GM for the faulty ignition switches.
The company has responded by saying it continues to check into past safety issues.
GM has recalled more than 13.8 million cars and trucks so far this year.
According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, GM knew there were problems with an ignition switch in some of their cars but chose not to recall them.
Allen Ray Floyd died in July 2009 in Horry County. His family is suing GM, saying the company's carelessness led to his death.
“A 26-year-old wound up dead. It's pretty devastating,” said Victoria Burrows, the victim’s aunt.
Burrows said it was a clear sunny day. Her nephew Allen Ray Floyd was less than a half mile from home when his car veered off the road and crashed into a tree. He was killed.
“After a while you get over the hurt, and then you become angry about it,” said Burrows.
The car was a 2005 Cobalt.
Attorneys for Allen's family believe it was a faulty ignition switch that caused him to lose control.
They also said GM knew about the problem but chose not to recall the vehicles.
“General Motors knew the switch was defective, and once they found that out, their course of action was to start putting the new part into new vehicles but never told those who had the defective switch,” said attorney William Jordan III.
Allen's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“A lot of it has to do with people taking responsibility for their actions and I think we should hold these people responsible,” said Burrows.
The Jordan Law Center in Greenville is representing the family.
Attorneys said the lawsuit is not only about getting justice for Allen's loved ones, but also pushing for changes in the auto industry.
“A healthy effort by manufacturers to get out in front of potential lawsuits would be a really nice thing to see, even if it cuts into their profit margins,” said attorney William Jordan Jr.
Several lawsuits have been filed against GM for the faulty ignition switches.
The company has responded by saying it continues to check into past safety issues.
GM has recalled more than 13.8 million cars and trucks so far this year.
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