Airbag manufacturer Takata Corporation added 5.1 million more vehicles to its ever-expanding safety recall list after an 11th death has been linked to their defective airbag inflators. Most of the vehicles mentioned in the previous recalls involving Takata airbags have been older models. However, the new recalls include some 2014 models. The Japanese airbag manufacturer said newer vehicles still remain under investigation and could be subject to recall later. Currently, the total number of vehicles recalled with Takata airbags stands at approximately 24 million.
Why Are Takata Airbags Dangerous?
At the heart of the problem is the airbag’s inflator, which is basically a metal cartridge loaded with propellant wafers. In some cases, if the inflator housing ruptures in a crash, metal shards from the airbag’s inflator can be scattered through the vehicle’s interior and cause severe injury. It now appears that there are several contributing factors leading to the danger including poor quality control during manufacturing, the design of the airbag and exposure to high heat and humidity regions. In these regions, high heat and humidity causes the propellant wafers to break down and burn more rapidly, which creates excessive pressure in the inflator body.
How Can I Check If I Have a Defective Airbag?
There are a number of ways to check if your car is affected by the Takata airbag recall. First, check to see if you have received any recall notifications regarding your vehicle in the mail. You can also check your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, www.safecar.gov, to see if a recall for your vehicle has been issued. In addition, some car insurance companies are notifying their drivers if their airbag has been recalled. Lastly, you can contact the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Contact a Takata Airbag Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured from a Takata airbag, contact d’Oliveira & Associates. You may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. Our firm is working with experienced Takata airbag lawyers, who are investigating these cases. They may be able to file a Takata airbag lawsuit for you and they charge no fee unless you win an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll free number at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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