Safety Concerns Surrounding Defective Airbags Continue to Rise

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

Federal safety regulators have recently called for an automotive recall of vehicles supplied with airbags manufactured by Takata. This would be a nationwide expansion growing from the original two states the recall was previously focused on. Regulators have information that the defective airbags are not limited to high-humidity regions of the United States as previously thought.

Airbag safety concerning the Japanese manufacturer has been a growing concern since 2008 with over 14 million vehicles from 11 automakers already recalled due to its airbags. The defective airbags are responsible for injury and at least five reported deaths. They are exploding when deployed in a motor vehicle accident, projecting metal debris from its casing and causing harm to drivers and passengers.

Airbags are intended as a safety feature for drivers, but have led to injuries in addition to those of the recent recall. Typical injuries include scrapes or bruising, but there have been several medical reports that have linked major injuries to airbag dangers. Cases published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) lists injuries including:

• chest wall injuries;
• burns;
• sternal fractures;
• abrasions to they eye; and
• retinal tears or hemorrhages.

A recall is often issued only after injuries have already occurred. When a product is defective, the manufacturing company is responsible for any harm caused. With the risks surrounding airbags, specifically those made by Takata, consumers have a right to be informed of these incidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has demanded records from Takata, including information about production, testing, and internal concerns from automakers regarding the airbags.

A defective airbag can cause serious damage, even if the motor vehicle accident is relatively minor. In certain cases, surface injuries have proven to be an indicator of more damaging internal medical complications. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Illinois, contact an experienced Chicago car accident attorney today. You may be eligible for compensation for pain and injuries suffered.