Faulty Takata Airbags Result in Massive National Safety Issue

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

In late October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged any consumers who purchased a car in the early 2000s to see their car dealer immediately, according to the Chicago Tribune. According to the Tribune, any car outfitted with Takata Corp. airbags that was manufactured during the years in question may have a fatal airbag flaw that could lead to serious injury or even death. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, BMW, and General Motors vehicles all have models outfitted with Takata Corp. airbags. The warning affects more than 4.7 million vehicles, with some estimates, according to The Guardian, closer to 20 million vehicles currently on the road in the U.S.

This is not the first time that Takata airbags have resulted in recalls—most prominently, those issued by Toyota Motor Sales. Perhaps because of this, Toyota Motor Sales issued its own Takata-related warning this fall, according to the Tribune, saying that 247,000 of its Lexus SC, Tundra, Corolla, Matrix, and Sequoia models manufactured between 2001 and 2004 were equipped with the Takata airbags in question. According to The Guardian, thus far there have been four recorded deaths because of the issue and multiple injuries. “This message comes with urgency,” the NHTSA said in a statement reported by The Guardian.

Airbags are usually thought of as life-saving mechanisms that help to reduce the number of fatalities in serious motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA estimates that as of 2007, a total of 24,334 lives had been saved by correct airbag deployment. When the airbag is deemed to be correct, it is estimated to only fail in 1 to 2 percent of crashes in which the front occupant of the vehicle died, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - a figure much lower than what is expected with the Takata problem.

If you have been in an accident in which the airbag failed to deploy, you may be eligible for compensation from the manufacturer of the vehicle or the airbag. Understanding your rights is the first step in dealing with the case, which begins, of course, by speaking with a qualified accident attorney. Do not go through it alone. Contact a Chicago motor vehicle accident lawyer today.