General Motors (GM) is expected to begin accepting personal injury claims of victims certified in the GM ignition switch recall class action lawsuit as soon as August.

The GM ignition switch recall class action lawsuit alleged that GM knowingly sold vehicles with a known defect that caused certain GM model cars to power off the engine while driving and prevent airbags from deploying upon impact. As a result, investigations of GM were launched by the U.S. Department of Justice and several other federal and state agencies.

GM has officially recognized 16 deaths and additional reports of driver injury as a result to the defective ignition switches, but according to the class action lawsuit, the estimated potential number of Class Members and ignition switch victims is closer to 2,000.

The investigations have established that GM knew about the ignition switch failure and the potential risks to consumers since 2002, but was slow to act to correct the defect or make it publicly known until earlier this year. In response to GM’s reticence to act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined GM $35 million.

In light to the growing number of ignition switch lawsuits filed against GM, the automaker made a public announcement stating its intentions to offer monetary compensation for all personal injury and death victims. GM also added that it intended to fight non-injury claims by GM owners.

GM plans to begin accepting personal injury consumer Class Member claims to receive compensation from the GM ignition switch fund on Aug. 1.

The GM Ignition Switch Recall Injury Class Action Lawsuit is In re: General Motors LLC Defective Ignition Switch Litigation.