New questions and concerns in the Takata airbag recall
Cars today are equipped with numerous safety features and technologies aimed to both prevent motor vehicle accidents and to prevent serious injury and death in the event an accident does occur. Front and side impact airbags are among those safety features credited with preventing the most injuries and saving the most lives. However, the recent massive recall of defective Takata airbags has raised questions and concerns over the safety of airbags.
When a motor vehicle suffers front or side impact, airbags are designed to deploy from the steering wheel and front passenger-side of the dashboard to cushion and protect a driver’s or passenger’s head and body from suffering injuries. In the Takata recall, when deployed, the defective airbags also spray out tiny mental components which can cause serious injury and death.
To date, the defective airbags have been linked to more than 100 injuries and eight deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 23.4 million vehicles in the U.S. are believed to contain the defective airbags and are included in the recall. Originally, Takata limited recalled vehicles to older models of some two dozen makes. Recently, however, reports of an exploding airbag in a 2015 Volkswagen raised concerns that the number, make and model of vehicles impacted may be much greater.
Carmakers and manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure that the parts used and sold in their motor vehicles are safe and free of defects. From steering components and ignition switches to tires and airbags, individuals who have suffered injury or who have had a loved one suffer injury or death as a result of a defective auto part may choose to take legal action.
Source: WSAV-TV, “More Worries over Takata Airbag Recall after Problem in 2015 Car,” JoAnn Merrigan, Aug. 25, 2015
