Side/window Air Bag problems of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva

Tl- the contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the driver side air bag suddenly deployed. The contact sustained a contusion to the face and left hand. The contact indicated that the vehicle was not involved a crash when the incident occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Pam.

On 3/30/99 was driving 70 mph on smooth interstate, dry road conditions when driver side airbag deployed for no reason. Was able to pull car to side of road. Contacted gm that afternoon after returning from the emergency room. Suffered whiplash and strained back and neck muscles. Gm took report. Went several months with no info from them. Gm contacted us to try to settle, because of time and doctor bills involved, we employed an attorney. Gm told us because we got an attorney that they would not settle as quick. Finally of 6/9/99 gm employees came to our place of business and looked at car and removed computer from under the right front passenger seat. Said it would take a couple of weeks to "dry it out" so they could tell what happened. As of this date, gm is giving us the runaround and has said that they have not gotten the box tested yet. We don't know if you can do anything to encourage them to bring this incident to a close but there have been a lot of medical bills and I am still having problems with my neck and back which is greatly affecting my work. Somehow one of the people from your office found out about this incident and contacted us, however, we have not heard back from him, however he was surprized that gm had not tried to settle with us. This car is used as our personal car and when gm removed the computer box, they did not offer to have the computer or the airbag replaced. We are having to drive this car in this condition as we cannot afford to purchase another car to make payments on and keep paying for this one, and we do not feel that we should be out the money to replace such items. We are actually afraid to drive it an airbag back in it, as now we do not trust the airbag system. Hope you can help or tell us what we can do.