There is a new silent threat to your safety, and it could be sitting on your key ring.
Sunday’s Palm Beach Post Newspaper reported Palm Beach County accounts for the highest number of keyless ignition deaths in the country. Since 2009, there have been 5, with the most recent occurring this past September.
Keyless vehicle ignition systems have been linked to multiple carbon monoxide poisoning deaths and injuries in the United States. In most cases, a car parked in the garage of an attached dwelling has been left running unbeknownst to the owner. Carbon monoxide exits the vehicle and due to the enclosed space of the garage, slowly leaks into the house and poisons unsuspecting occupants. Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless and initially non-irritating, it can go undetected until injury or death happens.
A suit was filed for a local death in Palm Beach County Court by partner Lance Ivey of Lytal Reiter, Smith, Ivey and Fronrath. “Our client went unreported in the newspaper regarding the keyless ignition deaths.” stated Lance C. Ivey. It is unknown how many keyless ignition deaths go unreported each year. “Manufactures who place profit above safety are putting the public in danger, Safety First – Safety Always as we believe here at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey and Fronrath.” said Mr. Ivey.
Although car manufacturers maintain that steps have been taken to improve the safety of keyless ignition systems through audible alerts or automatic shut-offs when the fob leaves the vehicle, consumer advocates claim otherwise. They accuse car manufacturers of being more interested in making money than improving consumer safety.
It is also clear that some vehicle owners don’t fully understand how the systems work: many assume that removing the fob from the vehicle will turn off the vehicle, which is not necessarily the case. Many vehicles can continue to run once the key fob leaves the car and even the garage. Driver error is also to blame. Forgetting or failing to properly disengage the push button can lead to a running vehicle that goes undetected in cars with quiet engines.
In response to the dangers posed by keyless ignitions, there has been a thunderous call for changes to the law to protect consumers from both public advocates and Senate. It is anticipated that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will announce new rules for car manufacturers this month but the details have yet to be disclosed.
If you, a loved one, friend, neighbor, colleague or client has been injured or killed as a result of a keyless ignition system, please contact our firm at 561-655-1990 or chat with us at www.ForYourRights.com. We are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
If you are in need of a Personal Injury Attorney in West Palm Beach, call now!
About Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath
Conveniently located in West Palm Beach for 27 years, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, LLP concentrates in Personal Injury, Wrongful death, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Auto accidents. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we specialize in helping victims and their families get fair compensation for injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Our main areas of practice include personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, and premise liability. We provide each client with the highest quality representation from a top Florida accident and injury lawyer.
