Why You Should File a Diesel Claim

Why You Should File a Diesel Claim

Almost eight years have passed since the Dieselgate scandal shocked the global automotive market. Numerous carmakers have been implicated, fined, and ordered to recall affected vehicles. Despite these developments, authorities are still watching every move the carmakers make.

It has come to the surface that certain car manufacturers have used illegal defeat devices in diesel vehicles in the US. Some of the car makers admitted to installing the cheat software, while others have denied the accusations.

• What is a defeat device?

The defeat device that Audi allegedly installed in their diesel vehicles is used to manipulate emissions during regulatory tests. 

When a defeat device senses that a vehicle is about to be tested in the lab, it immediately brings down emission levels to match legal limits. To outsiders, it looks safe and clean. This is only temporary, though, because as soon as the vehicle is out on real-world roads, it emits massive volumes of nitrogen oxide (NOx). Nitrogen oxide is composed of highly reactive gases, including NO or nitric oxide and NO2 or nitrogen dioxide.

Carmakers that use the device lied to their customers by mis-selling the vehicles as high-performing and environmentally friendly. In reality, car owners with such vehicles contribute to air pollution and are exposed to the dangerous impacts of NOx emissions. 

Defeat devices are the primary reason authorities keep an eye on Audi, Volkswagen, and other carmakers involved in the diesel emissions scandal. While it started with only one company and affected only US car owners, the scandal quickly spread to the UK and Europe and eventually became a global problem.

Aside from the Volkswagen Group, other carmakers that have been accused of equipping their diesel vehicles with defeat devices include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, and Renault. Nissan and the UK-based Vauxhall are two of the latest additions to the growing list. 

Legal firms, government authorities, and environmental campaigners are one in saying that affected drivers should file a diesel claim against their carmakers. Lying and mis-selling diesel vehicles is one thing but exposure to NOx emissions has impacts that can be life-threatening.

• Why you should file a diesel claim

The best reason for filing an emission claim against your carmaker is NOx emissions.

NOx, a group of pollutants, has damaging impacts on vegetation and the environment. It helps form smog and acid rain and is responsible for producing ground-level ozone. 

It can take a toll on your mental health, which means episodes of depression and anxiety can become more frequent.

Additionally, your cognitive health can be affected. When it weakens, you will become susceptible to dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. 

Asthma, asphyxiation, laryngospasm, nausea and vomiting are common health impacts. Pulmonary oedema, which happens when your lungs are filled with liquid, can also develop. 

Respiratory diseases can also set in. In many cases, the onset of various respiratory diseases can become COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD can be crippling and is a lifetime condition. 

Serious health impacts include cancer and cardiovascular diseases. 

Constant exposure to high levels of NOx emissions can also lead to premature death. This was the case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who died at a young age after a severe asthma attack. She had been in and out of the hospital for months because of various respiratory-related illnesses. She lived with her mother Rosamund in one of the most polluted areas of London. After an inquest was ordered, the coroner officially announced the cause of Ella’s death: exposure to air pollution.

These impacts should be enough to encourage you to file a diesel claim against your carmaker.

• How do I know if I can file my diesel claim?

A successful diesel claim means getting compensation for the inconveniences the defeat device caused you. However, it is important to follow the right claims process. For this, you’ll need the help of an emissions expert.

You should also visit ClaimExperts.co.uk to find out if you are qualified to file a claim and receive compensation. You can visit their website here – https://www.claimexperts.co.uk/diesel-emissions-claims/ 

Guest Article.