Takata’s Exploding Airbags May Be Tied to Chemical Propellant
Consumers whose vehicles contain defective airbags may be at risk for serious injury or death from the airbags exploding and shooting metal debris into the vehicle during an accident.
Problems with Takata-made airbags that have led to the recall of close to eight million vehicles in recent months may be associated with the use of an unusual chemical propellant designed to inflate the airbags in the event of a collision. According to recent reports, a chemical called aluminum nitrate could be what is causing Takata airbags to explode when they are inflated during a car accident, sending metal shards into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a problem that has resulted in at least four deaths and more than 30 injuries in the United States. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by a defective Takata airbag, contact a knowledgeable product liability lawyer today to discuss your options for legal recourse.
Vehicles Affected by Takata Airbag Recall
The Takata airbag recall has affected vehicles manufactured by nearly every major auto company, including Toyota, Honda, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru, although the majority of the deaths have involved Honda-made vehicles. According to a Bloomberg News article published on October 27, the airbag problem appears to fall directly on the shoulders of Takata, which is the only company that uses aluminum nitrate as a propellant. While the chemical compound is especially efficient at inflating airbags in milliseconds in response to a collision, new reports suggest that it reacts poorly to moisture, which may increase the force of the chemical reaction, particularly in humid areas, where most reports of Takata airbag explosions have occurred.
Exploding Airbags More Prevalent in Humid Areas
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a campaign last week to raise public awareness about the risk of Takata airbags in Toyotas and other recalled vehicles exploding during a car accident and shooting metal debris into the bodies and faces of drivers and passengers. In light of this risk, the NHTSA is recommending that faulty Takata airbags are replaced immediately in recalled vehicles, especially those in areas with high absolute humidity, such as Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Saipan, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and near the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia. Takata Corp. has reportedly set aside up to $28 million to pay for the recalls, in addition to the $70 million it has already spent in connection with the defective airbags.
Contact a Defective Auto Part Attorney Today
Serious concerns have been raised about the potential for Takata airbags to put drivers and passengers at risk of severe harm, and new information suggests that at least four deaths and as many as 30 injuries have been caused by the exploding airbags shooting metal shrapnel into the vehicle when they are deployed. The investigation into the Takata airbag recall is ongoing, and it remains unclear how many additional vehicles will be affected. Unfortunately, according to the NHTSA, there are at least 4.7 million vehicles recalled since June that are still on the road with defective Takata airbags. If you have been injured by an exploding airbag manufactured by Takata, or if you lost a loved one in an incident involving metal debris from a Takata airbag, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help put you in touch with an attorney who has experience handling defective product claims.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-27/air-bag-maker-in-global-crisis-used-unusual-explosive.html[/box]