The purpose of an airbag in a vehicle is to help the occupants body absorb a substantial force in a collision, while at the same time, preventing more serious injuries that the occupant would otherwise receive without it. As you probably are aware, all kinds of airbag systems are installed in vehicles these days. They used to be optional, and now they are pretty standard in most vehicles. While airbags are a tremendous benefit in most cases, recent headlines would indicate otherwise.Takata manufactures the mechanism that inflates the airbag in some manufactuers vehicles. Anyone ever involved in an accident knows that when the airbag deploys, they do so extremely fast. The speed and force with which the airbag deploys is designed with the safety of the occupant in mind. Since airbags deploy so quickly, there is a great deal of force involved. Over the years, we have seen people with facial injuries, fractured or broken bones, especially in the wrist, hand, and fingers, as a result of airbag deployment. In most cases, while these types of injuries are painful and unpleasant these types of injuries are considered better than the injuries the occupant could have sustained, if the airbag(s) did not deploy at the time of impact. I think most of us would agree that these injuries are "acceptable" given the alternative if the airbag(s) had not deployed.
What is not acceptable, however, is for large manufacturing companies to sweep the problems people were experiencing with airbags under the rug. With the recall of the Takata inflator mechanism, we are all thinking twice about just how safe this safety mechanism is. If this device has the potential to explode and send shrapnel flying towards you at such a high rate of speed, it can definitely do some damage to the vehicle occupant(s). An accident they may have resulted in some minor injuries, now becomes a life threatening situation.
It is now beginning to come to light that Takata and some of the car manufacturers have actually known there is an issue with the inflator mechanism for years. Whatever reason for the faulty mechanism, if it has really been swept under the carpet for years, then those responsible should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for the innocent lives lost, the permanent damage done, the trauma experienced by affected consumers and their families.
The malfunction problem appears to be most serious in warmer weather. The higher the humidity, the higher the rate of failure for these airbags. It appears that, somehow, the moisture and humidity is causing the airbags to become defective, which means that it is especially risky throughout the southern states, and particularly, in Florida due to the hot, humid weather.
If you have not done so already, we urge you to confirm whether or not your vehicle is on the recall list. If it is on the recall list, have it repaired as soon as possible.
To see if your vehicle is included in the list or recalls, click the following link from the NHSTA’s website:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About%20NHTSA/Press%20Releases/Vehicle-ownerswith-defectiveairbagsurgedtotakeimmediateaction
If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective airbag, Takata airbag inflator, or another circumstance, just call us for a free consultation of your case 24/7 at 1-800-800-2575.
