Sometimes the worst things happen, when you least expect it. Imagine that you’re out driving safely, minding all the road signs and traffic lights. You’re behind the wheel, observing all safety regulations, your seat belt is on, and you are neither texting while in the driver’s seat nor are you drunk. Everything seems just fine.
Suddenly, without any warning, your car’s sunroof shatters, raining glass onto you and your passengers, in the middle of a busy intersection. What happens next? As a Boston car accident lawyer, I have a good idea — and it does not have a happy ending. Chances are, you will lose control of the vehicle and become involved in a car crash. That means that you could possibly wind up with catastrophic personal injuries, a stay in the hospital, endless doctor appointments, and months and months of physical therapy – if you are lucky enough to live. You may well need the services of a Boston car crash attorney in the process.
Think it couldn’t happen? That this kind of accident is just too strange – too “Twilight Zone?” Think again.
It’s enough of a real possibility with the Hyundai Veloster hatchback model, that the Korean car company has recalled an additional 6,100 cars that have sunroofs that can break and shatter glass. It’s not the first recall. Last December, Hyundai recalled almost 14,000 cars from its 2012 model year, for exactly the same issue. The Korean car maker claims that its sunroofs were probably weakened when they were installed at the factory. Apparently the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun an investigation, due to it receiving many complaints from worried customers. Minor injuries have been reported in several Hyundai Velosters, although there have not been any major injuries reported. Nonetheless, this type of defective product would definitely require the services of a Boston defective products attorney.
The Hyundai Veloster is a compact three-door car, which differs from its competition, because of its asymmetrical door configuration, which includes one large door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger side. It is the first brand that is part of Hyundai’s new Premium Youth Lab category, which is targeted for a younger generation of drivers. (As if teen drivers don’t have issues enough, regarding teenager driver accidents in Massachusetts.)
Hyundai’s sister company, Kia, has also received complaints from customers who have experienced the same sunroof problems. The safety recall is scheduled to start this March 2013. Owners should contact Hyundai by calling (800) 633-5151.