GM and Chevrolet has issued a recall of 2011 and 2012 model Chevy Cruze cars. Every now and then, even the most careful drivers are forced to slam on the brakes in order to avoid a serious car crash. If you happen to be driving a Chevrolet Cruze, that could pose a real danger, say company executives and personal injury attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell. General Motors, which owns Chevrolet, recently announced a voluntary recall of nearly 300,000 Chevy Cruze cars from model years 2011 and 2012, citing multiple reports of a problem with the cars brake assist systems. In Cruzes with six-speed automatic transmissions and 1.4-liter turbo engines, there exists a potential for “intermittent loss of brake assist,” said GM Spokesman Alan Adler. As a result, drivers are forced to apply extra pressure on their cars brake pedals in order to bring the vehicle to a sudden, full stop. Says Adler, GM is aware of 27 alleged low-speed crashes but no injuries related to brake performance, which could include this issue. However, even in low-speed crashes, the potential for car accident-related injuries always exists. In fact, rear-end impacts of as little as five miles per hour can cause significant symptoms. Research shows that low-speed impacts (one to 25 mph) and moderate-speed impacts (25 to 40 mph) cause maximum hyperextension of the cervical spine, better known as whiplash. By comparison, high-speed collisions often break the back of a car’s seat, which can minimize the force of hyperextension. Whiplash symptoms can include pain and aching in the neck, back and shoulders; sensory disturbance (that pins-and-needles sensation) in the arms and legs; and headaches. GM will soon begin contacting registered owners of vehicles affected by the recall via mailed postcards or letters. If you drive a 2011 or 2012 model Chevrolet Cruze and have not been injured or in an accident as a result of the problem with the brake assist system, you can take your car to the nearest Chevrolet dealership, where technicians will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly to address the problem free of charge. However, if you believe that you or your dependents have been injured as a result of the problem, whether it was your vehicle or one owned by someone else, get medical treatment immediately. Then, contact an experienced personal injury and product liability attorney. Jacksonville-based Harrell and Harrell has offices located throughout Northeast Florida and Orlando, serving clients throughout Florida and South Georgia. Call 800-251-1111 to schedule a consultation with attorney at the office nearest you
