Airbag Accident Lawyer Lakeland, Florida
There is little debate about the fact that cars have become much safer over the years. Automakers are continuously making safety innovations and improvements designed to reduce the risk of crashes and, when crashes occur, to make them less injurious and deadly. Some safety features which were once new and controversial are now standard on all vehicles and we take them for granted.
Unfortunately, when automakers and parts manufacturers cut corners or fail to address potential issues with their products, the very safety features we take for granted could actually injure or kill us. That is certainly the case with the ongoing recall of tens of millions of airbags manufactured by Takata.
It is important to understand that simply because a product has been recalled doesn’t mean that the manufacturer can’t be held liable if individuals are injured as a result of their products. If you’ve been injured by a Takata airbag or any other kind of airbag, please connect with a car accident lawyer Lakeland, FL residents trust as soon as you can. Once you speak with an experienced Lakeland, Florida airbag accident lawyer at David Law Group, P.A. , you’ll be able to better understand your legal options and will therefore be able to make an informed decision about the best way to move forward, legally-speaking.
The Deadly Problem with Takata Airbags
Takata manufacturers airbags for most of the major car companies around the world. At their peak, Takata airbags were in 20 percent of vehicles on the market. Starting in 2013, however, major automakers began issuing vehicle recalls over reports that during a crash, airbags were inflating with too much force and exploding. Because of the force, the metal components in an airbag’s various parts housings would also explode, sending shards into the cab of the vehicle. These shards were essentially shrapnel and could cause fatal injuries if they went into the body of a vehicle occupant.
Since 2013, the list of recalled vehicles has grown to become the largest auto recall in history. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 63 million vehicles have been recalled as of Spring 2020.
The faulty airbags have been linked with dozens of deaths worldwide and hundreds of reported injuries. The defect is so dangerous and potentially deadly that some automakers are warning owners of certain model years that they should stop driving their vehicles entirely until the recall work has been completed.
Other potential problems with airbags
The performance of an airbag or any other critical safety feature is part of what’s known as the crashworthiness of a vehicle. Simply put, this is a measure of how well the vehicle protects the lives and safety of occupants during a crash.
In addition to the problems identified in the Takata recall, airbags can fail or malfunction in a variety of other ways as well, including:
· Under-inflating during a crash, providing too little protection
· Failing to deploy in a crash
· Deploying unnecessarily, potentially leading to facial injuries and burns
· Deploying randomly (not in a crash), possibly forcing the driver off the road or into an accident
If you have experienced any dangerous or injurious problems with your own vehicle, you should type your Vehicle Identification Number into a recall database to see if your car has been recalled. Even if the vehicle isn’t under recall, the problem you experienced could nonetheless be caused by a manufacturing or design issue. You should also be aware that you may have options for legal recourse if you’ve been injured or suffered property damage as a result of a defect. Our Lakeland, Florida airbag accident lawyer team can explain your options once we learn more about your situation.
Contact an Attorney Today
Product liability litigation can be complex, especially when it comes to motor vehicles. But if you suffered a serious injury (or a loved one was killed) by a defective auto part, you have the right to seek appropriate compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit and shouldn’t let fear of a complicated legal challenge stop you from seeking what you are owed. Please contact our office to learn how our Lakeland, Florida airbag accident lawyer team can help you and your family. We look forward to speaking with you.