Recalled Takata Air Bags Still Not Replaced, Pose Safety Risks
A young driver in Texas was recently killed when a minor fender bender caused the car’s air bag to explode. Shrapnel from the air bag, which was manufactured by the Takata Corporation, flew into the victim’s neck, killing her instantly.
The air bag contained in the victim’s car, a Honda Civic, was actually recalled in 2011. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered the recall, which affected 24 million vehicles, in response to a number of deaths and injuries caused by the defective auto part.
The recent car accident in Texas highlights the importance of making sure that consumers of affected vehicles know about the product recall and get replacement air bags. Florida Senator Bill Nelson commented on the recent air bag-related death and said that “it shows that the current recall efforts are just not getting the job done.”
The Texas car accident occurred when the driver rammed the back of another vehicle, a Honda CR-V, that was about to make a left turn. At the time of the collision, the driver was not speeding, according to a Fort Bend County sheriff’s deputy. Moreover, said the deputy, the driver was wearing her seat belt. The cause of her death was shrapnel flying from the car’s air bag.
NHTSA Gets Involved in Managing Recall, Air Bag Repairs
In the aftermath of the tragic accident in Texas, an NHTSA spokesperson declared that the federal agency will “get louder” when it comes to insisting on a higher completion rate for repairs of the recalled motor vehicles. The NHTSA is going to “demand” that the affected automakers work toward achieving “a 100 percent completion rate.”
The NHTSA has already taken control of one aspect of the recall, placing a high priority on getting replacement parts to areas in the South where the high humidity makes deterioration of the air bag infiltrators more likely.
The registered owner of the Honda Civic involved in deadly Texas accident may have received multiple recall notices, according to Honda. However, the defective auto part in the vehicle was never repaired.
For further information, access the Yahoo.com article, “Teenage Girl Killed by Exploding Takata Air Bag in Texas.”
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective product, or in an auto accident, you should talk to a skilled product liability and personal injury lawyer. The New Jersey product liability and personal injury attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. have more than 70 years of combined experience with personal injury cases and will help you get compensated for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
