General Motors Door Latch Failure Lawsuits

Many components are crucial to a vehicle’s safety. Brakes, air bags, tires and many other features can impact the safety of a vehicle. While door latches may not affect the drivability of a vehicle, they become very important during a crash. General Motors vehicles and other makes have had defect problems with door latches, increasing the chance of serious injuries during an accident.

When a door latch fails during an accident, there is a higher chance of partial or complete ejection of occupants from the vehicle. This can cause impact and crush injuries that would not occur if the door stayed safely closed and the occupants were protected by the frame of the vehicle. Defects with door latches from manufacturer errors in design can greatly impact the level of injuries while driving a vehicle, especially in the event of a crash.

Door Latch Defect and Design Problems

Like most vehicle components, careful planning is needed to ensure door latches are designed to work as intended. However, a small change in design can impact the functionality of a common door latch. A change in one part in the component can create a safety issue. The latch can unlock or not work when a passenger needs to exit the vehicle in an emergency.

Another possible problem with General Motors door latches is a manufacturer defect. If the latch is designed correctly, but an error happens when creating the component, it can also lead to failure, increasing the chance of serious injuries.

If you or a loved one were injured due to a door latch failure in a General Motors vehicle, it may have been caused by a design or manufacturer defect. You may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries or loss through a product defect lawsuit. Contact the team at Conley Griggs Partin LLP to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.