Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP Announces Hearing Date Set: GM Denies Need for Emergency Action

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Mar. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- An emergency hearing has been set in Federal Court to hear arguments about a demand that General Motors issue an immediate "Park It NOW" notification to owners of GM vehicles affected by the faulty ignition problem that came to light in February 2014. The hearing is set for April 4, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi, Texas.

GM: EMERGENCY ACTION NOT NECESSARY
In negotiations to set the soonest possible hearing date, GM stated that the emergency motion was "not necessary or appropriate" and that GM "disagree(s) that the …motion warrants emergency treatment." 

Bob Hilliard, partner at Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP in Corpus Christi, Texas, filed the emergency motion to "Park It NOW" in order to quickly get dangerous vehicles off the road before more lives are lost. 

Hilliard is astonished at GM's response, stating, "What universe are they in? These cars are dangerous. GM tells its customers 'this event (loss of power and air bags) can happen at any moment, regardless of what you do' and at the same time Mary Barra, GM's CEO, says, 'Keep driving, America, it will be fine.' GM's customers deserve better."

GM: NO PRECEDENT FOR EMERGENCY ACTION
GM also characterizes the call for immediate action as "unprecedented" and "preempted by federal law." Hilliard scoffs at this characterization, responding with a list of car manufacturers who issued emergency "Park It NOW" notifications, including Ford (2012 and 2005), Chrysler (2013), Porsche (2014), Honda (2008, 2005, 2002), Mitsubishi (2006), and KIA (2005).

GM also stated that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not have the authority to demand that GM send out an immediate emergency notification.  Hilliard responded, "The NHTSA cannot require GM to issue a 'Park It NOW' Alert, but a Federal Judge can." 

ABOUT HMG
Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP (HMG) specializes in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death. The firm has won approximately $100,000,000 in settlements and verdicts for its clients.  Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP has been successfully representing clients in the United States and Mexico since 1986. 

HMG is actively seeking to represent other victims of GM's defective vehicles.

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SOURCE Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP