Nebraska residents may be aware of the numerous recalls related to dangerous airbags in various automobile models. A device that is meant to protect car accident victims against serious injury has turned out to threaten the lives of millions of motorists. The results of a recent investigation reveal that Honda and the manufacturers of the Takata airbags have apparently been aware of the deadly threat posed by the airbags for years before taking the recall action. It was reported that the vehicles of 11 auto manufacturers are fitted with airbags made by Takata.
While an accident victim from another state was recently fighting for her life in an intensive care unit, investigators were mystified by what appeared to be stab wounds to her neck. She ultimately succumbed to her injuries, and her family reportedly received mail from Honda — addressed to the deceased woman — about a week after her death. The letter served to inform her of the potential danger of the airbags and to urge her to take it to a dealer to have the airbags replaced. The receipt of this letter made the connection between the defective airbags and the stab-like wounds more evident.
It appears as if — similar to other airbag-related deaths and injuries — the airbag deployed for unknown reasons and exploded. Such an explosion typically shoots out dangerous, sharp-edged pieces of debris that could cause severe, even fatal, injuries. Prior to this fatality, two other deaths and over 30 injured Honda motorists have apparently been connected to this issue.
Motorists who have suffered a serious injury — or families who have lost a loved one — in an accident that resulted from a defective airbag exploding may choose to pursue recovery of monetary damages incurred. They are entitled to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the car, along with the airbag manufacturer and perhaps others in the consumer supply chain. Accurately documented evidence of negligence will be required, and a successfully presented claim may lead to a monetary judgment in a Nebraska civil court. In addition to medical and/or end-of-life costs, the court may award additional damages as deemed appropriate under applicable state and federal laws.
Source: The New York Times, “It Looked Like a Stabbing, but Takata Airbag Was the Killer“, Hiroko Tabuchi, Oct. 20, 2014