When drivers get on the road, there are always a few obstacles they can expect to encounter, including reckless drivers, fallen debris, or unexpected weather. However, should they experience an accident due to one of these factors, they should be able to rely on the safety features equipped in their vehicle to help keep them alive. But what happens when the safety features designed to protect you from harm are the direct cause of your injuries?
Exploding Airbags Are Causing Drivers to Suffer from Severe Injuries
Currently, on the road, there are thousands of vehicles that have been labeled as ticking time bombs. In the last few years, more and more vehicle companies have issued recalls for certain models due to an increase in reports from drivers who have suffered severe or even life-threatening injuries in connection to their vehicle’s airbags. More famously, or infamously, vehicles equipped with airbags that were created with inflators manufactured by the now-bankrupt Japanese company, Takata Corporation have been recalled by the thousands, if not millions at a time after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(“NHTSA”) launched an investigation into consumer complaints.
The investigation uncovered the company used an ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, which is a cost-efficient fertilizer and highly flammable chemical typically found in explosives, to “ignite” the airbag inflator when triggered in a crash. Takata also did not include a chemical drying agent to accompany the chemical, so when loaded into the inflator, eventually environmental moisture, high temperatures, and the overall aging of the airbag would cause the inflator's housing to rupture, propelling metal shards from the airbag throughout the passenger cabin. Since 2009, roughly 35 people have been killed by a Takata airbag, 28 of which were reported in the United States.
Unfortunately, the issues do not end with Takata, as another company has also recently faced backlash for its exploding airbags. ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems also went under investigation by the NHTSA for their inflators (PE15-027) after it received reports of ruptures from two vehicles. This investigation uncovered that the ARC airbag inflators suffered from a manufacturing issue where it claimed that “a weld slag could become dislodged and cause a blockage of the inflator exit orifice when the airbag deploys.” The report went on to mention that the blockage would cause over-pressurization of the inflator, leading to the potential forced propulsion of shrapnel or metal fragments from the inflator into the passenger compartment. The agency has said the ARC inflators are responsible for roughly seven injuries and two deaths in the United States and Canada since 2009.
What Exploding Airbag Injuries May Look Like
Airbags were created as safety devices to protect occupants during a collision. Naturally, they were installed in vehicles to help keep drivers and their passengers safe during a crash. However, when airbags with defects are installed into vehicles, they can not only fail to protect us during an accident but cause even more harm to the driver or passengers. Some of the most common injuries drivers and cabin passengers have experienced due to a defective airbag include broken bones, brain injuries, burns, hearing loss, internal bleeding, neck injuries, lacerations, and, in the most severe cases, death.
Some may not realize that their injuries have resulted from a defective or exploding airbag. In some cases, your injuries may not be immediately visible. If you were in or near a vehicle at the time the airbag exploded, we highly encourage you to seek help from a medical professional.
Steps to Take Should You Suspect Your Injuries Were Caused by an Exploding Airbag
- Seek Medical Attention: If you were involved in an accident or if you were a passenger or simply near a vehicle when the airbag exploded, you should immediately seek medical attention. A medical professional will be able to treat not only your immediate injuries but also detect and monitor you for any injuries that may not be immediately visible. Your doctor will also be able to provide you with the proper medical care or treatment you may need to treat any short or long-term injuries.
- Collect Evidence: Gathering as much evidence as possible will only validate your case and increase your odds of recovering compensation for your injuries. Start by connecting with the officer on the scene and ask for copies of the reports connected to your case. Next, document the damages in your vehicle by taking photos and videos of the affected areas. After you’ve received treatment from a medical professional, collect any medical records that will connect back to your injuries, including documented symptoms, diagnosis, medications, specialist recommendations, and treatments.
- Contact Your Vehicle’s Manufacturer for Information: Was there a recall on your vehicle or a “Do Not Drive” notice? Connecting with the vehicle manufacturer can give you a clearer understanding of what went wrong with your vehicle. If you have already received a notice from the manufacturer, there is a chance you may not have received the proper information or warning about the dangers of driving your vehicle.
Should you find yourself unable to connect with the vehicle company, you can learn more information about your vehicle and if it has been involved in a recall by heading to the NHTSA’s website and entering their vehicle’s license plate number or 17-digit vehicle identification number(VIN) into their search engine. Drivers can locate the VIN on the vehicle’s lower left windshield, on the vehicle registration card, or in some cases, the VIN may be shown on your insurance card.
- Contact a Morgan & Morgan Exploding Airbag Attorney: Should you suspect your injuries are connected to an exploding airbag, do not wait to contact an attorney for help. Speaking with a Morgan & Morgan attorney can help you understand what your legal options are and what course of action to take in order to increase your odds of recovering the proper compensation for your damages.
Suspect Your Injury Was Caused by an Exploding Airbag? Contact Us Today
At Morgan & Morgan, we know how difficult it can be to fight back against companies who will try to strong-arm you into backing down from filing a lawsuit. Major auto manufacturers may not be willing or want to work with you after you’ve suffered an injury due to a defective airbag as a way to avoid responsibility for their negligence. Our attorneys not only have the experience and expertise in injury law but also have access to the largest resources in the country, making them uniquely qualified to handle your case.
When working with a Morgan & Morgan exploding airbag attorney, they will work closely with you to dive deep into your case to understand how you received your injuries. Your attorney and legal team will gather evidence and also work with industry experts to build the strongest case possible. From there, your attorney will negotiate with the defendant outside of court in order to secure a settlement. Should they find negotiations unsuccessful, your attorney will be more than prepared to go to trial.
For over 35 years, our law firm has been dedicated to helping our clients get the justice they deserve after they've been injured, and we want to help you, too. For more information about your claim and if you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries, connect with a Morgan & Morgan attorney today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.