South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Honda Motor Company, as well as the manufacturer of airbags used in Honda vehicles, may be facing a series of lawsuits for defective airbags used in certain vehicles. While there have not yet been widespread reports of injuries or deaths stemming from the recalled airbags, one woman recently filed suit against both Honda and Takata Industries, the airbag manufacturer.
According to a report by one South Florida news source, a woman was involved in a minor accident. The accident probably should not have resulted in the airbag deploying, but it did. The woman’s attorney claimed that “As soon as the airbag deployed, a piece of metal shot through and it struck her in the forehead.” The woman still has a large scar on her forehead as a result.
Another person was actually killed not long ago in a similar incident. The airbag deployed, and a metal shard came out of the bag, piercing the driver’s neck. She died as a result of her injuries.
Honda has recalled many of its vehicles, claiming that “Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.”
More Auto Recalls in the News
Earlier this year, GM recalled over 13 million automobiles. As if the several million recalled GM vehicles weren’t enough for one year, now Honda and Toyota are recalling a significant number of their older-model vehicles for these airbag-related safety issues.
While it may seem as though an auto manufacturer has the best interest of its customers in mind when it issues a recall, a recall is actually a way that auto manufacturers can limit their own liability for their defective products. When a manufacturer tells the public that a car it put on sale was unsafe, and that it is willing to replace the unsafe part free of charge, the manufacturer can then argue that there is no reason for anyone to operate the vehicle in the unsafe condition.
However, this does not necessarily apply to accidents that occur prior to the recall announcement. For accidents leading up to a recall, the normal rules of product liability apply. And even in cases after a recall was announced, there may still be ways to hold the negligent manufacturer liable. To learn more, consult with a dedicated products liability attorney.
Have You Been Injured By a Dangerous Vehicle?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of serious accident that you believe was due to an unsafe or recalled vehicle, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. However, keep in mind that car manufacturers are prepared for these types of claims and will often not settle without a fight. Therefore it is advised that you secure the assistance of a dedicated and experienced South Florida products liability attorney before filing any suit alleging defective or dangerous products. Call 800-753-5529 to set up a free initial consultation with a dedicated attorney today. There is no charge to you unless we can recover a compensation award in your case.