Airbags are intended to help prevent injury and death in the event of a crash. The products deploy when the front of the car is struck, and are designed such that the driver and passengers do not hit their heads on the steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of the vehicle. However, a Japan-based manufacturer, Takata Corp., is accused of producing defective airbags that result in injury or death when they deploy. Metal shards are reportedly released from the inflation mechanism, and can fly into the driver and/or passengers.
Recall Issued, Millions of Vehicles
Affected
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has announced that it will be investigating the alleged defect of Takata’s airbags. The manufacturer reportedly sold the airbags as early as 2001 to more than 10 automobile manufacturers, including Mazda, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and BMW. The NHTSA initially believed that the deployment and release of metal could potentially be caused by high humidity and issued a localized region warning to those in specific locations.
However, on October 20, 2014, the NHTSA issued a full recall for the vehicles that included 12 million cars worldwide. An estimated 4.7 million of these cars are located in the U.S. Consumers in warmer clients such as Florida, Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are strongly urged to visit the nearest dealer for their vehicle to have their cars serviced. The NHTSA will continue to look into the cause of the alleged defect and recall additional vehicles if necessary.
Lawsuits May Begin
Takata may be named as a defendant in lawsuits throughout the U.S. if it can be proven that the company produced a defective product that directly resulted in the injury or death of consumers. Individuals who believe they have an Iowa defective airbag lawsuit are urged to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to determine whether they are entitled to hold the manufacturer responsible for the injuries or damages caused by the potentially defective airbags. Potential damages to which plaintiffs may be entitled include lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and wrongful death if the defect can be directly linked to the passing of a loved one.
Do You Have an Iowa Defective Airbag Lawsuit? Contact Us to Learn More
If you believe you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag, contact Attorney Group for Iowa today. There is no cost to speak with us, and we can comprehensively review your case to determine whether you are eligible to recover damages for your injuries. If we find that you have a case, we can put you in touch with an affiliated attorney who will handle your Iowa defective airbag lawsuit on your behalf and work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call today.
