Call Us Now
Email Us Now
Few people here in Texas and across the country have not heard about the controversy involving Takata airbags. Numerous car manufacturers had to recall a plethora of vehicles that had these dangerous airbags in them. Some vehicles that have these dangerous airbags in them somehow managed to escape the recalls. Recently, officials blamed a car accident death on yet another Takata airbag.
The 17-year-old high school senior was driving a Honda with a Takata airbag on March 31, 2016, when she was involved in the accident that took her life. The company claims to have sent notices to all owners about the recall, but the girl’s family says they never received anything. Further, it appears that the parts needed to fix the issue are in short supply due to the sheer numbers of vehicles that have been recalled due to this issue.
Officials and witnesses both say that the accident the girl was in was just a minor fender-bender. Unfortunately, the impact was enough to trigger the airbag, but instead of deploying as designed, shrapnel flew out at her. The injuries she suffered were fatal. The suppositions made at the scene and in the hours following the accident were confirmed when the vehicle was inspected as part of the investigation.
The girl’s family retains the right to file a wrongful death claim against the vehicle manufacturer, the airbag maker, and any other parties who might share some responsibility for the death of their loved one. If a Texas court determines that negligence on the part of one or more of the defendants caused or contributed to her death, the family might be awarded damages. Any restitution received could help defray the financial burdens that arise in the aftermath of a fatal car accident.
Source: abc7news.com, “High school senior in Texas becomes the tenth US death from Takata airbags“, April 7, 2016