In 2013, there was a massive recall of vehicles that contained Takata Airbag Systems. Airbags deployed at random, and some even exploded and hit passengers with dangerous shrapnel. Two years after the recall began, over 34 million cars in America were recalled.
Unfortunately, Takata’s recall didn’t happen in time to prevent the deaths of 26 people and several hundred injuries related to the defective product.
The Takata Airbags recall exposed the hidden dangers of defective airbags. These devices are designed to keep passengers safe but can harm the very same people they’re supposed to protect.
Every driver on the road has the right to expect their airbags to work safely and as expected. However, unfortunately, airbag defects occur at an alarming rate. Airbag defects and failures are caused by mistakes or oversights in the manufacturing process and the use of low-quality materials.
Langdon & Emison is committed to holding airbag manufacturers accountable for putting dangerous products on the market. Our airbag defects lawyers have over 30 years of experience in fighting for victims injured by defective airbag devices.
What are the different types of airbag defects?
Airbag defects can take many shapes, including:
- Failure to deploy
- Failure to fully inflate or maintain adequate inflation for the required period of time
- Deployment with excessive force
- Faulty on-off switches
- Malfunctioning inflators
- Airbag sensor malfunctions
- Late airbag deployment
- Accident airbag deployment
- Airbags that are not fitted correctly to the size of the vehicle
Airbags are essential to reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. When manufactured and installed correctly, airbags can reduce the risk of death in a frontal crash by as much as 30%. However, manufacturing defects and mistakes can prove quite deadly to vehicle passengers.
If airbags deploy at the wrong moment or explode as they did in the Takata Airbag Systems, it can exacerbate existing injuries already sustained from a crash.
Defective airbags have been known to cause injuries such as:
- Eye injuries
- Broken necks
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Hearing loss
- Blindness
- Broken limbs
These types of injuries can take months, and even years, to recover from. Not to mention, there is often a great deal of emotional and mental trauma that can come from sustaining an injury from a defective airbag.
Knowing all of this, you may be wondering, “How can I protect myself from defective airbags?” It’s wise to ask, and being aware of your vehicle and its airbag system could prevent a future injury – or even save a life.
If you are worried that your airbags are possibly defective, you can go to safercar.gov to see if your vehicle is included in any defective airbag recall over the past 15 years.
Airbag Safety Tips
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released airbag safety tips as part of a campaign to maximize the benefits of airbag protection:
- Always wear seatbelt restraints positioned low across the hips with the shoulder belt across the chest
- Drivers should position themselves at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel
- Always replace airbags as soon as possible after deployment
- Children should sit in the back seat until 12 years of age and should always use age and size-appropriate car seats
Contact an Airbag Defects Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have suffered bodily injury as a result of a defective airbag, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. One of our skilled airbag defects lawyers can work with you to analyze your legal options.
Airbag manufacturers have a duty to consumers to provide safe products that work as expected. Our firm is committed to holding manufacturers accountable for their products and fighting for the rights of victims.
Contact us today at 866-931-2115 to schedule your risk-free case evaluation.
