General Motors has been cleared in the first case involving its updated ignition switch. An Arizona man claimed the automaker was at fault in his crash.
An earlier version of the switch has been linked to nearly 400 injuries and deaths, but GM settled the last case involving that switch in September last year. The company so far has paid roughly $2.5 billion in criminal and civil penalties, settlements and legal fees in connection with the earlier switch. Now, a federal jury in New York says General Motors is not to blame for a crash involving an Arizona man who alleged that his accident was caused by an updated version of the ignition switch.
The lawsuit from plaintiff Dennis Ward claimed the switch was at fault for his knee injury in 2014. He alleged the switch suddenly rotated out of place, cutting off his car's power and leaving him unable to steer or brake. The jury did not agree with Ward and found for GM. There are still over 200 cases pending regarding the new switch.