The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges owners of vehicles with defective Takata air bags to take immediate action. Theair bags can explode, especially in humid climates like we have here in North Texas, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
At least three deaths and 30 injuries have so far been tied to the Takata air bag defect.
If you or a loved one has unfortunately been victimized, you have the right to be compensated for your damages. Our law firm is handling these cases and can help you.
The recall list covers a whopping 14 million vehicles from 2000 through 2011. The major car manufacturer using Takata air bags was Honda, but ten others, including Nissan, Mazda, BMW, General Motors and Ford, also did. See if your vehicle is included here.
Like with the GM ignition defect and other product failures, many more fatal and serious injuries will be connected to the air bags now that the problem is publicized.
Hopefully, car owners can avoid any further injuries from the faulty Takata air bags by bringing their recalled vehicles to their dealers for immediate repairs.
Victim of Takata Air bag Explosion Appeared To Be Murdered
As reported by the New York Times, a woman named Hien Tran was killed on September 29 when she crashed her car near her Orlando home. The head-on collision deployed the driver’s seat air bags. Accident investigators were at first puzzled by the deep stab wounds to her neck. The following morning, a detective told Ms. Tran’s twin sister that police were investigating the case as a homicide. Sadly, the deceased woman received a recall letter from Honda the next week.
What is the Problem with Takata Air Bags?
Understanding how an airbag works can help you understand the problem with Takata’s air bags. An accident sends a signal that ignites a chemical in a well-functioning airbag.
The burning propellant produces gas that inflates the air bag, which
then provides a cushion for the occupants of the vehicle.
In
the Takata air bags, however, the propellant is too strong and so
instead of burning off, it ruptures the container and sprays metal
fragments into the car. The air bags had been redesigned incorrectly in Mexico to eliminate a problem with toxic fumes being released.
Even though federal law requires automobile manufacturers to disclose defects as soon as they become known, Honda knew about this problem as early as 2004 and did not widely report the problem or recall their cars. Lawsuits will determine how much Honda and the other car makers knew and why they didn’t recall their vehicles sooner.
Is Your Vehicle on the Recall List?
NHSTA has released a list of recalled vehicles that contain Takata air bags. Check back often as this list is constantly being updated. Bring your recalled car to your dealer for immediate repairs.
Air bags are supposed to protect you from injuries. If, instead, you were
injured by a defective air bag or in any other motor vehicle collision, consult with Bill Berenson about actions you can take to recover compensation. Call our Board Certified personal injury attorney at 817-885-8000 or toll-free at 1-888-801-8585 or send us an email to schedule your free first consultation.