UPDATE: 8 Fatalities From Exploding Takata Airbags
Honda Motor Corporation has reported another death due to a Takata Corporation airbag inflator. A crash last September in Los Angeles brought the total deaths attributed to Takata airbags in Honda cars to eight—seven of which were in the United States.
This crash was unique as it involved a rental car. The driver did not have access to information about the vehicle and likely did not realize it had not been repaired after this major airbag recall. This latest confirmed incident certainly underscores the need for individuals to learn more about the Takata recall and airbag safety in general.
Thus far, eleven manufacturers have begun recalling cars to fix these Takata-made airbag inflators. The NHTSA is working to speed up the repair pace for this defect, which is estimated to affect around 34 million airbag inflators. The Takata recall is now the largest ever in automotive history. One of the biggest obstacles that is causing a delay with the recall is the fact that the defect goes back so many years that the cars have changed hands many times—making it harder to reach the correct owner.
The owner of the Honda rental car mentioned above had never repaired the airbags, even though the car had been part of the recall. Honda stated that four mailed notifications were sent out to the registered owner, but no one had taken the car in for inspection or repair. Since the fatality was blamed on faulty airbags, it is likely that, had the rental company followed through with the recall, injuries may have been less severe.
Mark Rosekind, a representative of the NHTSA said in a statement. “This latest confirmed case underscores the necessity of NHTSA’s actions to ensure that every American vehicle has safe air bags.” He goes on to say, “The fact that this was a rental vehicle that had not been remedied is more evidence for why we are seeking authority to prohibit sale or rental of any vehicle with an open safety recall.”
If you want to check to see if your vehicle is involved in this recall, the largest in US history, you can search your VIN online at Safercar.gov.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident involving a faulty Takata airbag, it is important that you discuss your case with an expert. Call or contact us at Harris Lowry Manton. With offices in Atlanta and Savannah, we serve clients throughout the state of Georgia and anywhere in the US.
Image courtesy of: Shutterstock
Harris Lowry Manton LLP is a dedicated full-service trial law firm. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers fight for the injured throughout every step of the legal process. We explain how litigation works from the moment you come into one of our offices in Atlanta or Savannah until your case is solved. Our legal team has achieved remarkable success because we leave no stone unturned when investigating our client’ claims and what should have been done to prevent their injuries. We file claims against all responsible parties — not just the most obvious one.
Read more about Harris Lowry Manton LLP.