AMERICANS could receive up to $1,400 from General Motors (GM) following a $150 million security settlement.
GM and its battery supplier LG have settled a class action lawsuit after recalling Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles.
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The plaintiffs claim that between 2017-2022 more than 100,000 Chevy Bolts had defective batteries, causing fires and other mechanical problems.
“Bolt owners who have received a battery replacement or installed the latest advanced diagnostic software may be eligible for compensation,” the company said in a statement.
Owners of the now-recalled Chevy Bolt are getting up to $1,400 for their million-dollar settlement.
The settlement also required that each of the class members who own or lease 2020–2022 Chevy Bolts with certain N2.2 batteries continue to receive updated software, Class action lawsuit reported.
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Since its launch, the Chevy Bolt has been causing problems for GM.
The most recent recall is due to several fires caused by vehicle batteries.
Chevrolet has allowed Bolt owners to come to the dealership to replace their car’s batteries, but the Bolts are still on fire.
Because of battery replacements, GM lost more than $800 million, Kelly Blue Book reported.
The Bolt was first put on the market in 2017, with two new models being manufactured afterwards, until the vehicle officially stopped being manufactured in 2023.
Last August, a Massachusetts resident’s Chevy Bolt spontaneously caught fire.
“First arriving crews found an electric car on fire in the garage with multiple exposure issues,” the fire department said. Torque News.
“After extinguishing the initial fire, firefighters continued to wet the vehicle and approximately 30 minutes later the fire ignited again.”
“Firefighters remained on scene for approximately three hours, using more than 11,000 gallons of water to ensure the fire was extinguished.”
The Bolt’s owner said the car was not charging or running when the fire occurred.
“If this vehicle had been parked in a garage, the results could have been disastrous,” the fire chief said.
“Additionally, electric vehicle fires are difficult to combat and present unique challenges.”
“We had to control the danger we had there and try to cool the batteries… we used (it) that morning.”
Just a few weeks earlier, the owner had taken the Bolt in to have the batteries replaced, but there were no new batteries available at the time.
GM has had to recall other vehicles recently due to battery problems.
Last year, the manufacturer recalled 2022 GMC Hummer EVs and 2023 Cadillac Lyriq SUVs.
What is a class action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or “classes,” a way to come together in court.
These lawsuits are often filed by one or a few people who allege that a company or other entity has harmed a large group of people.
When a lawsuit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar claims to those who filed the lawsuit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue legal action by accepting money.
These payment agreements often include statements from the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination or false advertising are some examples of what can lead to a class action lawsuit at a company’s door.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
