Pennsylvania Car Accident Death Linked to Defective Takata Airbag

Yet another driver’s death has been connected to a defective airbag manufactured by Takata, as the international recall of nearly 20 million vehicles continues. In the most recent case, the death of a young man in a Pittsburgh car accident adds to the 8 other deaths and over 100 serious injuries linked to defective Takata airbag inflators.

Honda recently confirmed that the Pittsburgh accident likely resulted from a Takata airbag inflator that ruptured in the 1991 Honda Accord. The young man driving the car was likely killed by the shrapnel resulting from the airbag rupture. The worldwide recall of Takata airbags was compelled by this tendency to rupture under significant force and to shoot metal shrapnel into the vehicle and its passengers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Takata defect recall involves 23 million air bag inflators, 19 million vehicles, and 12 separate motor vehicle manufacturers worldwide. The companies conducting recalls as a result of the Takata defect include: BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota. However, the only deaths that have be connected to Takata airbag defects thus far have occurred in Honda vehicles.

Honda has since announced that it will no longer be sourcing its airbags from Takata, also asserting that Takata had “misrepresented and manipulated” airbag testing data results. Documents supporting this contention were recently released during a personal injury lawsuit against Takata and evidence suggests that this manipulation may stem back to 2000.

In November, Takata agreed to pay a $70 million fine for safety violations and the company may face additional penalties amounting to $130 million per a settlement with NHTSA. This is notwithstanding the personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits that may be brought against Takata by the innocent victims and their families who were tragically affected by their defective products.

Generally, automotive products and parts with design or manufacturing defects cause catastrophic injuries in car accidents every year. When these tragedies do occur, victims can pursue just compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, rehabilitative treatment, necessary future accommodations, and pain and suffering. Contact the Pennsylvania law offices of Cohen and Riechelson at (215) 337-4915 if you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a defective auto product. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing clients in these cases for over 40 years and will be pleased to answer your questions.

For additional information related to this ongoing defective Takata airbag issue, access the following:

• Honda confirms ninth death linked to Takata airbag
• Takata Emails Show Brash Exchanges About Data Tampering