Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Lawyer

If you suspect that the safety of the vehicles your company is producing is on the line due to corporate greed or corruption, a  motor vehicle safety whistleblower attorney could help you stand up for what’s right.

As with any industry, there are going to be people and companies that prioritize their financial interests over that of consumers. Unfortunately, in the automotive industry, this gross disregard for public safety can cost lives. For this reason, the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act (MVSWA) was enacted in conjunction with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.

When a vehicle is recalled due to a defective part, and these safety issues could have been prevented if those who knew of the issue came forward, countless lives could be saved. If you have discovered fraud within the auto industry and you are interested in reporting your tip to the appropriate organization, a motor vehicle safety whistleblower lawyer at Meissner Associates may be able to assist you.

What Is the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act?

You have probably heard of some of the most infamous vehicle safety issues in recent years, which includes the Takata airbag scandal or the Volkswagen emissions impropriety. These types of safety issues can be addressed before serious injuries and deaths occur if industry insiders are willing to come forward, despite the risks of whistleblowing. 

With that in mind, the MVSWA encourages these individuals to report their tips to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the U.S. Department of Transportation. Showing such bravery could result in the issuance of a whistleblower award.

Requirements for Winning an Award

Just as with any other type of whistleblower award, there are stringent criteria that need to be met before an award can be issued. To start, you need to make sure that you are, in fact, eligible for an award. 

Only those who are considered to be automotive industry insiders will qualify. This might include employees of a manufacturer, auto parts supplier, or even a dealership. But, it would not include consumers who discover a defective car part.

Furthermore, the tip must be original and provided to the U.S. DOT or the NHTSA voluntarily. This means that your source of information can’t be public, you must be the first to provide this specific tip, and you must report before these government agencies come to you for information or open up an investigation. 

Additionally, you are legally obligated to report your tip to your company’s internal compliance program prior to reporting federally, except in cases where fear of retaliation is just.

Once these criteria have been met, the federal government must then be able to recover sanctions exceeding $1 million before an award can be issued. Qualifying whistleblowers will then be entitled to between 10 and 30 percent of the recovered sanctions, depending on the value of the information provided to the overall success of the investigation. 

Get Help from a MVSWA Attorney

When you have come into information surrounding vehicle safety issues and are ready to blow the whistle on such schemes, obtain the legal representation you need by consulting a reputable motor vehicle safety whistleblower lawyer at Meissner Associates. 

Our firm provides all potential whistleblowers with a confidential tip assessment so we can provide information about how to move forward. To schedule yours, simply give our office a call at 1-866-764-3100 or complete the secured contact form provided below.