The largest automotive recall in United States history is getting even bigger. While nearly 70 million airbags have already been or will be recalled, Takata is adding another 3.3 million to the list. The Takata recall initiative has shaken up the auto industry, with the U.S. Department of Justice bringing criminal charges against the company and key employees and executives. In January 2017, the company entered a guilty plea in response to charges brought by the government, which included paying a large fine of $1 billion.
Is your vehicle affected by the newest recall? This Takata airbag recall is affecting certain models from 2009, 2010, and 2013, manufactured by automakers listed below. A full list of specific models is set to be released later in January by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Honda
- Toyota
- Audi
- BMW
- Daimler Vans
- Fiat Chrysler
- Ford
- General Motors
- Jaguar-Land Rover
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Tesla
The estimated cost of the total recall is expected to top $24 billion. Certain Takata airbags have been found to be defective, as they can explode with shrapnel and metal shards when deployed. The explosion can cause serious injury or even death, and there have been at least 20 deaths linked to Takata airbags, to date.
If you drive a vehicle from the manufacturer and year listed above, contact your automaker immediately. Your vehicle may be subject to this recall, which means the airbag should be replaced. Otherwise, you could be just one car accident away from suffering permanent disfigurement or a catastrophic injury.
Those injured through airbag defects may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses. These claims fall under an area of personal injury law known as product liability. This area of law seeks to hold manufacturers and others in the chain of supply accountable when products cause harm to innocent consumers and users. Common theories of liability include design defects, marketing defects, and manufacturing defects. Proving liability in this kind of case is key – this will allow you to recover for losses caused by the defendant manufacturer’s wrongdoing, including medical bills, lost wages, scarring, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Airbags can unsafely deploy in a variety of situations. One of the most common is a head-on collision with another car. However, airbags can deploy in multi-car pileups, single car rollover crashes, or accidents where a vehicle strikes a fixed object. If an airbag caused you or a loved one to suffer harm, contact an attorney immediately who can review your case and take steps to preserve critical evidence. A product liability lawyer can begin investigating the accident as soon as possible to ensure your case can be asserted as best as possible. For a free legal consultation with one of our experienced lawyers in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas, complete this online form or call 800-529-4004 today.