An Alabama defective airbag lawsuit may be an option for people who have been injured by a defective airbag. Japanese manufacturer Takata Corp. may be facing a significant number of lawsuits filed on behalf of vehicle owners whose cars were allegedly equipped with faulty airbags. According to reports, the manufacturer produced airbags with the potential to explode in the event of an accident and spray metal shards into drivers and passengers in the front seat. Affected individuals and their loved ones may be eligible to file a lawsuit with the help of an Alabama products liability attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Alabama defective airbag lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
About the Airbag Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has acknowledged that it will be launching an investigation into the product, and the agency issued a recall on October 20, 2014 for the airbags. The agency had previously come under fire for only initiating a limited region recall, assuming that airbags would become over-inflated in areas of high humidity. Now, however, the recall has been issued and involves an estimated 4.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and 12 million vehicles worldwide.
The affected brands include Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, and BMW. The NHTSA still urges individuals living in warmer climates to take immediate action due to the possibility of high humidity increasing the likelihood of premature deployment. These areas include Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Florida, Guam, Virgin Islands, Saipan, and American Samoa.
The NHTSA has received word of at least four deaths that occurred as a result of the defect when passengers were sprayed with shards of metal. Owners of the affected vehicles are urged to contact their local deals as soon as possible for a replacement. Individuals who have been injured or lost a loved one due to the alleged airbag defect may potentially have an Alabama defective airbag lawsuit if it can be proven that the injury or death was directly caused by the product.
Victims May Seek Compensation for Injuries
Records indicate that Takata sold the airbags to at least 19 vehicle manufacturers as early as 2001. If evidence surfaces that links the defective airbags to any injuries or deaths, Takata may be held responsible for compensating victims for their injuries and damages. Potential sources of compensation in an Alabama defective airbag lawsuit may include lost wages, medical expenses and treatments, and pain and suffering. Families may also be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one and seek compensation for burial or funeral expenses, end of life expenses, and other damages incurred by the accident and death.
How an Alabama Defective Airbag Lawsuit Can Help
Although the manufacturer has agreed to pay a fine, including millions of dollars to a victim compensation fund, drivers or passengers who are injured by a defective Takata airbag may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries. Compensation can include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and ability to work
- Pain and suffering
If the actions of the airbag manufacturer are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
If a loved one dies as a result of a defective Takata airbag, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama. After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
