While airbags are designed to save lives and reduce injuries, a faulty airbag can do far more harm than good. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a massive airbag recall warning for more than 7.8 million vehicles. The airbag recall targets mechanisms supplied by Takata, Inc., a Japanese auto parts manufacturer, and includes vehicles from major American and Japanese automakers, as well as German manufacturer, BMW. According to federal officials, the inflator mechanisms in the air bags can rupture, sending sharp metal fragments and other shrapnel into the faces and necks of accident victims in the event of a car crash. Safety advocates say at least four people have died from the problem with the most recent fatality involving an Orlando woman on September 29th.
The NHTSA believes humidity plays a role in causing airbag malfunctions as it may trigger the chemical propellant responsible for airbag deployment. Automakers plan to recall additional models in high-humidity states, such as Florida, in an effort to prevent serious accidents of personal injury or wrongful death as further testing is conducted. You can also hop over to this website to know how to claim compensation for the injuries sustained with the help of attorneys . Safety officials and car accident attorneys are urging drivers to act immediately to fix vehicles with potential airbag defects, as the consequences of delaying can be fatal. The issue is serious enough that in circumstances where a replacement airbag is not available for one of the affected vehicles, dealerships have begun disabling airbags entirely until a replacement can be installed.
Vehicles affected by the recall include:
- More than 600,000 BMW vehicles including 3-series sedans, coupes, and wagons as well as M3 convertibles and coupes;
- More than 370,000 Chrysler vehicles including Dodge Durango SUVs and Ram pickups;
- More than 58,000 Ford vehicles including the Ranger and Mustang;
- More than 160,000 General Motors vehicles including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac models;
- More than 5 million Honda vehicles including the Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Acura RL, TL and MDX;
- More than 64,000 Mazda vehicles including the Mazda6 and RX-8;
- More than 11,000 Mitsubishi vehicles including the Lancer and Raider;
- More than 690,000 Nissan/Infiniti vehicles including the Maxima and Infiniti QX4;
- More than 17,500 Subaru vehicles including the Legacy, Outback and Baja; and
- More than 870,000 Toyota/Lexus vehicles including the Lexus SC, Corolla and Toyota Tundra pickups.
To determine whether your car is included in the airbag recall, visit http://www.safercar.gov/ and enter your vehicle’s VIN number. If you’re subject to a recall, you will see notifications and receive up-to-date information there. If you or someone you know has a case involving a defective airbag or other defective product, please contact our Personal Injury lawyers today.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
