Defective Air Bags May Cause or Worsen Accident Injuries
Recalls of Defective Air Bags Confirm That the Defects May Cause or Worsen Injuries During an Auto Accident
Air bags are meant to protect drivers and front-seat passengers from potentially devastating consequences of a front-end or front-side collision. Statistics show that air bags are 14% effective at saving lives in a serious accident. However, in 2016, safety inspectors discovered that this may not be the case for millions of cars in which air bags made by the Japanese manufacturer, Takata have been installed. Tests have shown that this manufacturer's airbags can explode when deployed with too much force. The explosion causes a metal canister inside to shred, sending shards of metal throughout the automobile's passenger compartment. Injuries resulting from defective air bags are uncommon. Still, hundreds of people have been injured and sixteen have died to date as a result of defective Takata airbags.
On January 19, 2017, the Associated Press reported that 13 automakers are recalling an additional 652,00 vehicles in which these defective air bags were installed. The current recall is just the latest round for the troubled manufacturer. To date, a total of 19 automobile manufacturers have recalled over 42 million vehicles in which 69 million inflators were installed.
The types of injuries that can result from the deployment of a defective air bag range from minor to devastating. The head, torso and legs of both the driver's and front-seat passenger's body are exposed in a head-on or front side collision, the very type of collision that bags are intended to address. Air bags are designed to deploy rapidly, minimizing potential whiplash from front-to-back jerking motion and potential injuries that might result from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield or side door panels. However, if an air bag is defective, or deploys improperly, the air bag itself can worsen or even cause serious injury, chronic health conditions and premature death.
Researchers have discovered that injuries from defective air bags are exacerbated whenever the driver or front-seat passenger is not wearing a seat belt. These two safety devices are meant to work in tandem. Not wearing a seat belts only increases the risk of serious injury from a defective or defectively deployed air bag. While there is no way to predict when anyone might be involved in a serious accident, it is always wise to use seat belts and practice defensive driving to minimize the risk from additional injury from a defective air bag.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured in an auto accident, and a defective air bag may have caused or worsened your injuries, you may have a claim for compensation against the manufacturer. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 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 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 chat.
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