Takata Airbag Settlement

The Takata airbag recall was the largest in the history of U.S. automotive recalls. The defects in Takata airbags can cause significant harm to drivers and passengers of the affected vehicles.  

Millions of Takata airbags contain defective inflation devices. When an accident happens, the inflator and propellant device may fail. 

Airbags are designed to help protect vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. When working properly, they rapidly inflate with gas to cushion any impact, preventing drivers and passengers from hitting hard surfaces inside the vehicle. 

The basic components of an airbag system include: 

• An inflation device
• A sensor
• An inflatable bag 

The inflator is a device that contains a small amount of explosive material. The sensor detects a sudden impact or collision. The airbag itself is typically made of nylon fabric and inflates to protect the vehicle’s occupants. 

When the sensor detects a crash, the inflator releases a burst of gas to inflate the bag. The Takata company manufactured millions of airbags with faulty inflators.  

Experts believe that the problem with the inflator is linked to a faulty seal. When this seal fails, moisture can enter the inflator device components. 

In the event of a collision, the moisture can alter the chemical reaction within the airbag. Because of this, Takata airbags have been known to spray the occupants of vehicles with deadly shrapnel. 

This hazardous defect has the potential to cause lifelong injuries or death. As a result of this dangerous flaw, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) instituted a recall of all vehicles containing Takata airbags.

There are many makes and models of passenger vehicles that contain Takata airbags. Fortunately, the NHTSA constructed an online tool to help motorists determine whether their car or truck is affected. 

Many of the most prominent automobile manufacturers were supplied by Takata before the airbag defect became public knowledge. Some of these manufacturers include:

• Acura
• Audi
• BMW
• Dodge
• Ferrari
• General Motors
• Honda
• Infiniti
• Jaguar
• Jeep
• Lexus
• Mazda
• Mercedes-Benz
• Mitsubishi
• Nissan
• Subaru
• Tesla
• Toyota
• Volkswagen

Since the recall, other airbag manufacturers have begun supplying safe, reliable products. Some of these include: 

• AutoLiv
• Daicel
• TRW 

It is important to find out whether your vehicle contains a defective airbag made by the Takata company. The NHTSA’s online tool is an excellent resource that allows drivers to search by their vehicle’s VIN number.  

If your car or truck contains hazardous Takata airbags, do not wait. Schedule an appointment with your automotive dealer or mechanic to have the defective airbags replaced.  

You should not continue driving a passenger vehicle with Takata airbags. If you have been harmed by one of these faulty products, reach out to the accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan to determine the best course of legal action.

Following an airbag injury, it is critical to speak with a personal lawyer to find out how you can recover the money you are owed. You may wonder about what types of financial compensation you can recover in a product liability claim against Takata. 

There is no single answer to this question. The money you can obtain will depend on the specific circumstances of your accident. Some of the factors that will influence the value of your claim include the following:

• The type of collision that occurred
• The nature and extent of your injuries
• Whether any other drivers were involved
• The impact of the product defect on your accident 

In most cases, personal injury victims have the opportunity to recover two types of compensatory payments in their Takata airbag settlements. The two most typical categories of financial compensation in such legal claims are economic damages and non-economic damages.

Explaining Economic Damages

The term “damages” is legalese for the payments made by at-fault parties to plaintiffs. Most Takata airbag injury victims experience a wide range of monetary losses as a result of Takata’s faulty product. 

Defective Takata airbags can propel dangerous shards of shrapnel into the faces and necks of vehicle occupants. When this happens, injured parties usually require tens of thousands of dollars in medical care and treatment.  

Even if a Takata airbag does not throw shrapnel in the face of the victim, it may fail to inflate. An airbag failure can cause the occupants of a vehicle to collide forcefully with the steering wheel, dashboard, or other hard surfaces. 

Whatever the specifics of a Takata airbag failure are, the financial consequences can be overwhelming. Some of the most common monetary losses that injury victims experience include these: 

• Medical bills for immediate treatment
• Expenses for long-term health issues
• Costs from vehicle damage and repair
• Lost wages and income from missing work
• Inability to earn similar income over the long term

When you bring a legal claim against a large corporation like Takata, it will fight hard to deny you the money you are owed. Avoid this possible outcome by hiring the accomplished legal professionals at Morgan & Morgan.  

We will pursue every dime in economic damages that you are entitled to. 

Explaining Non-Economic Damages

Some of the worst outcomes from a serious injury do not take the form of economic losses. For the intangible harms caused by faulty products, victims can pursue non-economic damages. Many Takata airbag settlements involve non-economic damages for claimants. 

Non-economic damages are payments to the victim to compensate for the personal, psychological, and reputational harm they suffered from the accident. Some of the most common examples of non-economic damages include payments compensating for the following: 

• Embarrassment
• Loss of social standing
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and distress
• Anxiety disorder and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Inability to engage in recreational activities

These are only a few examples of the intangible harms that can result from a Takata airbag injury. Determining the value of non-economic damages in a personal injury case is difficult.  

Often, the opposing party will attempt to undermine the claims made by the plaintiff. Insurance agencies have an economic incentive to downplay the emotional and personal harm caused by their clients’ products. 

When a consumer product has caused you or a loved one harm, reach out to the determined legal professionals at Morgan & Morgan. Our knowledgeable team consists of more than 1,000 trial-ready lawyers across the country. 

We will not agree to an insufficient Takata airbag settlement in your case. Our legal team will doggedly pursue every penny you rightfully deserve. 

No. Most trustworthy civil legal practices do not require upfront payment of attorneys’ fees. 

If you are consulting with a lawyer who demands that you pay up front, keep looking. Reputable firms operate based on contingency fees. This includes the premier team at Morgan and Morgan.

When you hire us, we will agree to legally represent you in exchange for a specific percentage of your Takata airbag settlement amount. This means that the more we win for you, the more our attorneys are paid.

If we do not successfully win or settle your case, you owe nothing. A contingency fee payment structure ensures that your lawyer is always working as hard as possible for you. 

This payment approach also makes it possible for all personal injury victims to pursue justice, regardless of their financial status. At Morgan and Morgan, you will not pay any fees unless we win compensation for you.

In many cases, yes. The families and estate holders of fatally injured Takata airbag victims may be able to recover compensation. 

This type of case is known as a wrongful death claim. These civil claims function similarly to personal injury cases, except the plaintiff is a representative of the decedent.  

When you lose a loved one because of an automotive manufacturer’s negligence, you deserve compensation. Some of the most common types of damages in wrongful death claims include compensation for the following: 

• Funerary and burial expenses
• The victim’s remaining medical bills
• The family’s emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship, partnership, or guidance

The skilled wrongful death attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will help you recover the compensation that you are rightfully entitled to. Our team has decades of experience representing the families of fatal injury victims. 

We will not rest until you are adequately compensated for the damage that your family suffered.

If you were injured because of the negligence of Takata, do not wait. The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan is standing by to help you pursue the money you are due. 

Whatever complexities your accident or injury case has, we can help. Our experienced litigators have a long history of holding negligent companies accountable for the harm they cause. 

Complete the simple online contact form today to schedule your free Takata airbag injury case evaluation.