Takata Corp., a Tokyo-based maker of vehicle safety parts that are used by numerous popular automakers, has been under fire lately for the rise in injuries and deaths caused by their faulty airbags. Once deployed, the airbags have the potential to rupture and spray bits of metal into drivers and front-seat passengers, causing more serious injuries and even death. Such was the case for Orlando resident Hien Tran.
Earlier this month, Tran was admitted to the intensive care unit after a car accident that left her with what what looked like stab wounds in her neck. Tran sadly died from her injuries not long after. Much to their surprise, officials were given a break in the case when a letter arrived from Honda warning Tran to bring her red Honda Accord into the dealership to have it looked over for faulty airbags. With this letter, the mystery of the neck stab wounds was solved and the family was notified that the airbag was to blame for Tran’s death.
A Growing Problem
Unfortunately, what happened to Tran is becoming a growing problem, as the number of recalls of vehicles containing defective Takata airbags has risen. Since 2008, approximately 16 million vehicles have been recalled from more than 10 automakers. This is a staggering number that raises concerns about the quality of manufacturing and safety of vehicles containing other parts from Takata.
At AMA Law, our lawyers have been following the Takata airbag case closely and are well-equipped to represent you in filing a personal injury claim against the Japanese manufacturer.
While Tran and other vehicle owners have received ‘urgent’ letters from automakers warning of the dangers of the faulty airbags, that does not seem to be the only problem. Even though automakers such as Honda are urging vehicle owners to bring their cars in to be repaired immediately, they do not have enough parts to fix the problem. Similarly, Toyota has stated that they will disable the airbags and leave a note warning people to not ride in the front passenger seat.
This is just one example of the safety crises that is facing the auto industry, leaving vehicle owners and passengers at an extremely high risk of injury or death. In the case of Takata, there is a faulty propellant that is supposed to burn quickly and in turn create gas to inflate the airbag on impact. However, the propellant is too strong, which is causing it to rupture and send metal parts outward.
Contact AMA Law Today
AMA Law lawyers understand how serious of a problem the Takata airbag defect is and are paying close attention to all vehicle recalls and manufacturing warnings in order to ensure we can offer you the representation you deserve. To learn more about this particular recall or to set up a consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us today.