Searching online for a personal injury lawyer to represent your airbag accident claim? Due to recent reports out of Washington D.C., Harrell & Harrell has assigned an attorney to work with accident victims related to the Takata Airbag Recall and help them determine if they have a case. Initially, Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) had announced plans to hold Senate hearings to investigate whether or not Japanese manufacturer Takata knew in advance about an exploding airbag problem that may have caused unnecessary injuries to accident victims over the past fifteen years. Now, according to a report in the New York Times, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) have sent a letter urging the NHTSA to issue a nationwide recall on all affected vehicles.
It is believed that engineers working at Takata may have conducted tests as far back 2004 that warned of potential airbag explosions with deadly shrapnel emitted from the product’s failed steel inflators. The NYT story made further claims that when the manufacturer’s executives were notified of the problem orders were issued to halt testing and destroy the collected evidence.
The problem is of a particular concern for Floridians as the danger is believed to of greater concern in hot, damp climates. But anyone injured by an airbag, especially in the make or model of vehicles listed below, should contact an attorney to review the details of the accident as well as any personal injuries to the occupants.
Regardless or the nature or seriousness of the accident, if you or a loved one had an airbag deploy and suffered lacerations to the head, neck or torso, you should seek the advice of a legal counsel. This is even true of single vehicle accidents where the occupant was injured due to the deployment of the onboard safety device. Additionally, cases that have exceeded the statutes of limitations or statutes of repose may be viable if the Department of Justice finds evidence of a major cover up on the part of the manufacturer. The October letter from Senator Blumenthal and Senator Markey also expressed concern over the NHTSA endorsement of recommendations from Toyota and GM that affected vehicles owners disable passenger seat air bags until replacement parts are made available, citing a lack of safety testing.
Since earlier notifications from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency has issue a Consumer Advisory urging 7.8 million owners of affected vehicles to take immediate action. The various automakers blame Takata air bags for over a hundred injuries, including dozens of people who reported that their air bags ruptured or expelled shrapnel and/or chemicals onto occupants. Potentially damaging evidence suggests that Honda and Takata may have known about the problem for more than a decade after an airbag inflator exploded in a 2002 Honda Accord. Listed below are the current makes and models identified by the NHTSA.
NOTE: Even if you no longer own the affected vehicle, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer regarding the details of your accident and the liability issues regarding damages to you and your passengers.
*Disclaimer: The information concerning makes and models of cars and trucks affected by the Takata Airbag Recall is provided to the best of our knowledge. This list could be modified and/or added as the Department of Justice investigation is ongoing.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be overwhelming. Our quick, easy-to-understand videos cover the most common questions we hear from clients — so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way.
"*" indicates required fields
