Takata Airbag Deaths Rise in U.S. Rise to 11 Victims

October 26, 2016

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that the death of a 50-year-old woman was due to fatal injuries caused by a faulty Takata airbag in her 2001 Honda Civic.

The accident occurred on Sept. 30 in Riverside, California. The woman’s death brings the number of U.S. victims of defective Takata airbags to 11 fatalities.

Police reports state that the woman was driving her vehicle when she crashed into a pick-up truck. The woman was rushed to the hospital where she died after sustaining severe injuries.

According to her son, the woman was a safe driver who followed proper safety procedures and wore her seatbelt.

Certain models of Honda and Acura vehicles are considered to be a high risk for potentially deadly Takata airbag explosions. The woman’s 2001 Honda Civic fell into this category of the vehicles, which safety officials stated needed to be repaired immediately.

Despite sending more than 20 recall notices to the owner of the car, no repairs were made to the vehicle, according to Honda.

In 2008, Takata airbags were the subject of the largest recall in auto history. The Takata Corp. has been accused of producing faulty airbags that contain ammonium nitrate, a propellant used to trigger a contained explosion to ignite airbags in a crash.

The chemical becomes unstable in high heat and humid climates, causing the metal canister that houses the propellant to violently break apart when the airbag is deployed. Vehicle occupants can be fatally injured by the flying metal.

Specific areas within the U.S., like Texas, Southern California, Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast are prone to Takata airbag ruptures because of their humid climate.

Scientists have found that the explosion rate of airbags in these geographical areas is as much as 50 percent when carried out in a laboratory setting.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a Takata airbag, the defective product attorneys at Phillips Law Group are here to help. Our experienced attorneys will provide you with a free consultation and will fight to help you receive the maximum compensation you might be entitled.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or fill out a Free Case Evaluationform today.