Filing A Defective Airbag Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

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Within the past year, airbags have been in the news for many wrong reasons. Many automakers have been forced to issue recalls for defective airbags, the most prominent airbag recall being Takata airbags. Nearly 8 million vehicles containing defective Takata airbags have been recalled to date that potentially propel metal shrapnel upon deployment.

Defective Airbags

Most airbags are located inside the steering wheel or in the dashboard panel and are connected to a crash sensor. This sensor sends a signal to deploy the airbag when the vehicle is involved in a severe wreck. The purpose of the airbag is to protect the driver and passengers from suffering substantial injuries, but in the case of defective airbags, they have been known to actually cause injuries, many of which can prove fatal.

Why Airbags Malfunction

Airbags deploy in a fraction of a second at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. When an airbag malfunctions, the usual reason is because of a malfunctioning crash sensor that either does not deploy the airbag, deploys the airbag at the wrong time or deploys one airbag but not another.

Recovering Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured in a collision where the airbag malfunctioned, you potentially have the option of filing a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the airbag. Depending on the facts of the case, there may be additional parties who could be found liable as well, such as the manufacturer of the vehicle or any other party that was responsible for maintenance, inspection or replacement of the airbag.

There are a few things that are key to file an injury claim, the first being preserving all evidence – the airbag itself. While it may be difficult to recover the airbag immediately after the accident, remember to take pictures, because these images can help prove your case.

If you have been injured or know someone who has been injured or killed by a defective airbag, you should consult with a Florida Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible. We can conduct an investigation into the crash right away and gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Your consultation with us is always free and we will inform you about your legal rights. Contact us today online or call us at 866-608-5529 to learn more on how we can help you.

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