Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month, Japan-based airbag manufacturer Takata announced the largest auto-part recall in United States history, affecting over 34 million automobiles. Takata is the second-largest airbag manufacturer in the world, behind only Autoliv, which is based in Sweden.
According to one news report by CNN, the airbag manufacturer announced the recall after it came to light that the company’s airbags were prone to sending shrapnel in drivers’ and passengers’ faces upon deployment. Evidently, there have been six deaths allegedly caused by the faulty airbags, and countless other injuries. Most of the incidents involve older vehicles. However, newer models are also included in the recall.
It is estimated that there are approximately 52 million vehicles worldwide that will need to have their airbags replaced. Both Takata and Autoliv are struggling to manufacture airbags as quickly as possible to fill the orders. Currently, Takata is producing about 500,000 airbags a month, but it plans to double that number by September of this year.
Many experts estimate that it will take over two years for most of the vehicles to get the affected parts replaced. Some experts claim that it will take upwards of five years to complete the recall. With that said, some claim that 25-30% of the recalled vehicles may never get brought in for the necessary replacement parts. This is because some of the vehicles are over 15 years old, and the manufacturers may have a difficult time locating owners of vehicles that may have changed hands several times over the life of the vehicle.
Vehicle Recalls and Products Liability
Automobile recalls are initiated because there is some problem that affects the safety of the vehicle. In some cases, a recall is not announced until after there have been hundreds of accidents due to the dangerous condition that is the subject of the recall. After a recall is announced, it often takes months or even years until the majority of affected vehicles have been taken in to the dealer and had the faulty part replaced or repaired.
Those who have been involved in an accident caused or worsened by a recalled part may be entitled to monetary damages based on the faulty part. However, before proceeding in a products liability case based on a recalled vehicle, a dedicated personal injury attorney should be consulted.
Have You Been Injured Due to a Faulty Airbag or Recalled Vehicle?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured due to a recalled or unsafe vehicle, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the poor design of the vehicle. However, these lawsuits can be complex and time-consuming, and they are often fraught with opportunities for the uninitiated to make a mistake that may affect the ultimate viability of the claim. To learn more about products liability actions, specifically those arising out of recalled vehicles, call one of the dedicated Washington DC personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers at 410-654-3600. The skilled advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of combined experience bringing all kinds of products liability actions, including those arising out of car recalls.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Appellate Court Defines Limitations on Injury Victims’ Insurance Coverage, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, May 1, 2015
Blue Bell Creamery Recalls All Products over Listeria Concerns, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, April 28, 2015