A federal grand jury is currently investigating Takata Corp.’s defective airbags under a criminal investigation. Takata and some automakers are settling injury complaints so that details of what happened is kept from the public. These settlements which are common in defective product liability complaints are the reasons or cause for the defect or the degree someone can be injured. Victims Stymied in Access to Others’ Air Bag Liability Settlements
NHTSA reports that almost 8 million cars contain Takata airbags and in the U.S., four deaths have been linked to the defective airbags. The air bags deploy with such volatile force they not only explode and fail to protect drivers in accidents but also can expel bits of the metal chunks that are made to hold the bag in place behind the steering wheel. Most experts believe that the reason the airbags explode is because the chemical propellant of the bag inflator becomes contaminated with moisture over time, causing the inflator to deploy with more force than intended. It is also being shown that it happens more often in hot and humid climates, like Florida. Consumer Advisory: Vehicle Owners with Defective Airbags Urged to Take Immediate Action
NHTSA is now calling for automakers to disclose information about the airbags and a federal grand jury is demanding Takata turn over all information on the air bag defect. Takata Airbag Recall Questions Prompt DOT Investigation of NHTSA
Florida Senator Bill Nelson will chair the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation on Thursday, November 20 to “get to the bottom of this serious lapse in consumer product safety.” To watch the hearing, click here.
For Senator Nelson’s notice of the hearing and more information, click here.
U.S. Regulators Call for Takata Airbag Recall to Be Extended Nationwide
Every day, we at Terrell • Hogan, represent victims of personal injury and wrongful death as they seek justice, but helping prevent accidents and injuries is also a constant focus. Lawsuits we have pursued for deserving victims have prompted safety changes, but that came after the accidents and injuries happened. We think it’s important to try to find ways to prevent injuries and wrongful deaths before they happen. That’s why we feel it’s important to help spread this life-saving information about the defective Takata airbags.
