When a product causes injury to a consumer, it could lead the consumer to file a claim against the manufacturer. Certain parts of a vehicle are especially dangerous when something goes wrong.
One of the parts of a vehicle that has been subject to recalls in the past is airbags.
Recently, an airbag recall has affected 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. (3.4 million worldwide) involving six automakers:
- Nissan;
- Toyota;
- Honda;
- Mazda;
- BMW; and
- General Motors (GM).
The problem is a manufacturing defect in which the airbags could deploy and send shrapnel through the cabin.The manufacturer, Takata Corp., has received six reports of airbags improperly deploying. The good news, so far, is that no one has been injured.
Despite the huge impact, it isn’t the largest recall that Takata has faced. In 1995, more than nine million vehicles were impacted by a defect in the front seatbelts.
Liability for a Defective Vehicle Part
Automakers aren’t the only ones who are subject to recalls. Parts in a vehicle can be faulty and result in a vehicle parts manufacturer being held liable when it results in serious or fatal injuries.
In some cases, a claim could also include the car manufacturer or other parties involved in the chain of distribution. For instance, an auto body shop or a retailer may be held liable in some claims depending on the case details.
Defects in an airbag are a serious matter when a part that is supposed to help protect an occupant can actually be the cause of injury. If someone has been injured because of an airbag or another issue involving a vehicle, victims can contact an attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates to go over the circumstances of the accident and injury and review options for legal action to recover damages.
