Recall Efforts Involving Exploding Air Bags To Be Intensified
When motorists who are wearing a seat belt are involved in a low impact collision, they are normally reasonably protected from incurring a serious injury. Air bags are an important safety feature that contributes to this sense of security. Most drivers do not expect that air bags, which are designed to prevent injury, will cause severe injury or a fatality during a collision. However, the tragic death of Hien Tran earlier this month purportedly caused by projectiles from an exploding air bag has resulted in stepped effort to identify and remove the defective safety devices.
According to media reports, Tran was driving a Honda Accord when she was involved in a collision that claimed her life. An Orlando Sentinel report indicates that crash investigators believe Tran’s death was caused by stab wounds from projectiles propelled by an exploding air bag. According to the report, Trans was wearing her seat belt and should have survived the crash if not for the malfunctioning air bag.
Tran’s vehicle was one of 7.9 million vehicles that have been recalled because of defective air bags that are prone to explode and propel shrapnel, which can cause severe and even fatal injuries. The air bags that have been the subject of widespread recalls were manufactured by Takata. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been alerted to seven incidents involving exploding air bags related to the defect.
A spokesperson for Toyota vehicles, which also use air bags manufactured by Takata, has indicated that the company is accelerating its recall efforts in the wake of recent test results. The focus of the intensified efforts is to get vehicle owners to have the air bags replaced by taking the vehicle to the dealer. These intensified efforts have been focused in Florida and Hawaii because test results indicate the defect is affected by high humidity.
Although most of the vehicles known to be equipped with the defective air bags were recalled in June, car owners are sometimes unaware of the recall, or they are slow to bring the vehicle in to have the problem rectified. The vehicle manufacturers who equip vehicles with Takata air bags include specific models and years made by:
- BMW
- Nissan
- Honda
- Toyota
- General Motors (GM)
This has been a record year during which over 52 million vehicles have been recalled because of defects that pose potential safety issues. To put the volume of recalled vehicles in perspective, one in five vehicles traveling U.S. roadways have been recalled this year. If a vehicle defect is a substantial factor in causing you to be involved in an accident or to suffer more severe injuries, you might have the right to pursue a product defect claim against the manufacturer of the defective component or vehicle.
Our Atlanta attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/20/autos/exploding-airbag-recall/index.html?hpt=hp_t4