Motor Vehicle Accidents are one of the highest causes of death in the United States. While we may never be able to eliminate motor vehicle accidents due to human error, Congress has taken a huge step in enacting The Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. Like the SEC Whistleblower Program and the CFTC Whistleblower Program, the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act rewards whistleblowers who report safety violations likely to cause serious injury or death directly to the Department of Transportation up to 30% of the total recovery obtained by the Government.
As the law has just recently been enacted, the Department of Transportation has yet to create the regulations necessary to carry out its mission and no whistleblower office has been created. However, the law is in effect, so it is only a matter of time before the office is up and running and ready to prosecute.
Here are some of the basic aspects of the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. Take a look below to see if you meet the six criteria for reward eligibility then give us a call to see how you could be rewarded up to 30% of the total recovery.
In order to qualify for a reward under 49 § 30172, you must:
- be an “insider” of a motor vehicle manufacturer, part supplier, or dealership (you must be an employee or contractor of one of these institutions);
- who voluntarily provides (it cannot be a part of an investigation or subpoena or something read about online);
- original information to the Department of Transportation (information not already known to the Department of Transportation);
- of a motor vehicle defect or noncompliance/violation with safety requirements (including failure to report and/or recall known issues);
- that is likely to cause an unreasonable risk of severe injury or death (the risk must be more than just the inherent risk of driving); and
- leads to monetary sanctions of more than $1,000,000 (including actions brought by Department of Justice).
If you are an insider who has knowledge and proof that a motor vehicle manufacturer, part supplier, or dealership is risking drivers’ lives by failing to report or recall a known defect or safety violation, or have knowledge and proof that a company or individual is committing Fraud on the Government, Securities Fraud, Commodities Fraud, or Tax Fraud, then give us a call today for a free consultation and case review with an experienced whistleblower attorney. To review your eligibility, contact the whistleblower attorneys at Levy Konigsberg, LLP for a free confidential consultation at 1-212-605-6200 or toll free at 1-800-988-8005.
