NEW YORK -- Groups representing plaintiffs in car accidents said Monday they would oppose General Motors' attempt to quickly exit bankruptcy protection, arguing that hundreds of victims could be hurt by the government-led plan, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Judge Robert Gerber approved a crucial step of the plan late Sunday, allowing the troubled automaker to sell its assets to a new company and saying the deal was in the best interest of both the automaker and its creditors, who would get nothing if the automaker was forced to liquidate.