Will Your Airbag Protect You In The Event of an Accident?

Is your vehicle up to speed on the latest manufacturer recalls? It seems that every day, more and more car recalls are being issued.  This increasingly common occurrence is quite alarming as the majority of us would consider our vehicles safe enough to drive.   However, some recalls are so serious that manufacturers ask owners to stop driving the vehicle altogether until the proper repairs can be made.

In any event, manufacturer recalls are extremely important because the manufacturer has taken note that something is wrong with the vehicle and if it is not corrected, the problem could jeopardize your safety and the safety of those around you.  With that said, you may have heard about the ever-growing Takata airbag recall that has affected approximately 34 million vehicles in the United States.  Takata is a Japanese company that supplies airbags to a various auto makers.  Nearly two-dozen manufacturers have issued recalls due to defective airbags which have the potential to deploy with too much force, spewing bits of metal and plastic into vehicle occupants during a crash.

The airbag recall was initially announced by Takata in April 2013 and only involved six vehicle manufacturers. However, over the past few years that number has drastically increased.  Since this specific recall affects millions of vehicles, replacement parts are scarce. In fact, an article from Car and Driver cites one automaker taking precautionary steps by placing a “Do Not Sit Here” decal in the car until the proper repairs can be made.  It may take years for all the recalled airbags to be replaced, leaving the door open for more serious injuries.

According to a car accident lawyer, motor vehicle accidents are dangerous enough when the safety equipment is working properly. Adding defective airbags into the mix could turn a bad situation into a tragedy. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident where the cause of your injuries was due to defective manufacturing, an auto accident attorney can help you hold the auto manufacturer liable for the damages. You should consult with an Atlantic City personal injury lawyer or an auto accident attorney to explore your rights and determine what remedies/damages are available to you. 

To see if your specific vehicle has an open recall, you can search the NHTSA database by VIN. The affected manufacturer’s include: Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge/Ram, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.

If you have been involved in an auto accident, you should always consult with an experienced Hale Law personal injury attorney who can help you seek the compensation you deserve!