BMW Airbag Lawsuit

Based on an investigation conducted by the NHTSA, it believes that ruptures may result from the weld slag produced by the friction welding manufacturing process. The report states, “Should weld slag of a sufficient size become dislodged, it can cause a blockage of the inflator exit orifice when the airbag deploys. A blockage of sufficient size will cause over pressurization and rupture of the inflator, leading to the potential forced propulsion of shrapnel or metal fragments from the inflator into the passenger compartment.” Roughly seven people have been injured by the rupturing air bag inflators, and there has been one reported death in the United States.

While both the ARC and Takata issues involve airbag inflators, both recalls stem from different issues. Created by the now-bankrupt Japanese company known as the Takata Corporation, the Takata airbag inflators were installed in vehicles from 2002 through 2015. An investigation by the NHTSA deemed that the millions of vehicles fitted with Takata airbag inflators were a safety risk for drivers and their passengers and should be recalled. 

The root cause of the exploding Takata airbags comes from the design and the chemical compound the company used to inflate the airbags. The airbag design had a metal cartridge loaded with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, a "cost-efficient" fertilizer and highly flammable chemical typically found in bombs. Takata did not include a chemical drying agent when loading the compound into the metal cartridge. 

Without the drying agent, things like environmental changes, high temperatures, the aging of the airbag, or an accident could cause the inflator's housing to rupture. This rupture can propel metal shards from the airbag throughout the passenger cabin, leaving those in the vehicle with severe injuries or, in some cases, can lead to death.

According to the NHTSA, the ARC inflators were installed in vehicles from 2000 through early 2018 and produced by 12 automakers, including BMW. Currently, the BMW vehicles believed to be affected by the ARC inflators include:

• 2014-2017 BMW i3
• 2014-2017 MINI Cooper 2-Door
• 2015-2017 MINI Cooper 4-Door
• 2016-2017 MINI Cooper Convertible
• 2016-2017 BMW X1
• 2014-2017 BMW X5
• 2015-2017 BMW X6

Customers can verify if their vehicle is affected by entering their vehicle's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the NHTSA’s search engine. Customers can also contact their local BMW dealership to confirm if their vehicle is affected by the ARC airbag inflators. For more information about the ARC airbag inflators or if you have questions regarding what your next steps are, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today.

Depending on the type of vehicle you own, the placement of the airbags may differ. To learn more information, owners may enter their car's vehicle identification number into the NHTSA recall search engine, which will provide information on whether the driver-side, passenger-side, or both frontal airbags in their vehicle are included in the ARC airbag inflator recall. BMW vehicle owners are also urged to contact their local dealership for more information on affected vehicles. 

The ARC airbag deployments, ruptures, and or explosions may cause drivers and their passengers to suffer from one or more of the following injuries:

• Black eyes
• Brain injury or concussion
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Compound fractures
• Facial or cranial fractures
• Hearing loss
• Neck Injury
• Permanent scarring
• Rib, sternum and/or clavicle fractures
• Serious cuts or avulsions
• Spinal fractures
• Vision damage 
• Vocal damage

When defective ARC airbags are deployed, BMW vehicle drivers and other occupants may also suffer fatal injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or have lost their life due to an ARC airbag inflator, we may be able to help you. Contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today to learn more about what legal options you and your loved ones have today.

While every case will vary depending on the level of accident or injury, if you or a loved one have sustained damages due to a defective ARC airbag inflator, you may be eligible to recover one or more of the following forms of compensation:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of wages
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Emotional distress
• and more. 

For more information on what you may be eligible to recover, you can contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney by completing our case evaluation form to have one of our attorneys review your case at no cost. 

At Morgan & Morgan, our law firm has a track record of taking on the automotive industry and ensuring our clients have the best opportunity to recover the most out of their injury cases. For over 35 years, our law firm has been dedicated to helping our clients get the justice they deserve after they've been injured. Unlike other law firms, our attorneys have the expertise and access to the largest resources in the country when fighting for your case. For more information on how a Morgan & Morgan attorney can help you, or if you have questions regarding the ARC airbag inflators recall, contact our law firm today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.