Once one airbag has been recalled and the news has gone quiet on the subject for a while, a fatality occurs with indisputable evidence that an airbag was the cause. This time it is the recall of 5 million Takata airbags that is in the news with one new fatality.
It seems so far that 10 deaths have resulted when the bags have exploded unexpectedly. The problem appears to be with the propellant, ammonium nitrate. This has caused the explosion of steering wheels and shrapnel which become embedded in unsuspecting drivers.
The latest death is a Georgia man who was driving his Ford Ranger when the airbag exploded. Most of the explosions had been in Hondas but this was the first time another model of vehicle has been involved. The recall now is for Mercedes, Saab, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles.
There is no absolute certainty of how many vehicles are carrying Takata airbags, and more models of vehicles are expected to be recalled, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is monitoring this airbag catastrophe.
When airbags were first invented, they were a blessing, bringing relief to drivers and passengers if they got caught up in an unexpected accident and were thrown forward either onto the steering wheel or the dashboard. In many cases, serious injuries and even death have most likely been prevented, but recent incidents have revealed accidents in which the use of airbags has sometimes brought about horrifying consequences. They have played a dangerous role when an accident or sudden braking of a vehicle has taken place.
When someone purchases a new vehicle, he or she does not expect to buy one that has any serious defects. Any manufacturer of any product has a certain level of duty of care to its customers, and that means providing products that are free of defects and, if used as directed, will not cause any injuries.
If someone is injured using a product – whether it’s an airbag or a bicycle – and an obvious defect causes serious injury or even death, that person may be entitled to personal injury compensation from the company that manufactured the product.
Unfortunately, companies never readily admit or offer to withdraw products until there is substantial evidence to prove that their product is at fault. This often means that lives are needlessly lost and victims often have to live with the impact of serious injuries for the rest of their lives.
If you believe you have been injured by a Takata airbag in New York, or one of your family members have been injured, you should not waste any time. You should contact a New York personal injury attorney like Richard S. Jaffe Esq. who will through a free consultation assess your chances of winning financial compensation for your injuries. He will ensure that you gain the financial compensation you deserve and he will leave no stone unturned when finding the evidence to prove the Takata airbag was the cause of your injuries.
Contact him today as a statute of limitations applies when filing a personal injury claim. In New York, this is typically two years following the accident.
