Sharp shards of debris spew out toward the driver’s seat at high speeds. An animated video recently released by CNN depicts a Takata airbag explosion in slow motion. The images are horrifying—sharp projectiles move toward the driver’s seat. The Takata airbag recall is the largest in history, with 34 million cars, 15 brands, and 60 model vehicles affected. The airbags have been facing recalls because a defect in the airbag’s inflators can lead to deadly and harmful explosions. The debris can place drivers and passengers of the defective vehicles at risk of serious personal injury.
Honda recently announced that the 1.4 million vehicles that had been recalled due to a potential defect in the driver’s side airbags must now be recalled a second time due the presence of the defect in the passenger’s side airbags. The expanded recall includes Honda’s 2001 to 2005 Civic models and its 2003 to 2007 Accord models. These models are noted by CNN to be among Honda’s top selling cars.
So, what can you do if you are among the millions of Americans whose vehicle is subject to a recall? For residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who suspect that their cars may have a defective Takata airbag, the first step should be to contact a certified Honda dealer to schedule a repair. Certified Honda dealers are required to perform repairs for free. The dealers may even be able to supply you with a rental car while your car is out of service in the shop.
It is imperative that drivers take their vehicles in for repair.
So far, seven deaths have been associated with the defective airbags, with one death confirmed just last week. The woman who was involved in the deadly accident had been mailed a notice about the recall just days before she was killed in the deadly accident.
Accord and Civic models subject to the recall have the highest passenger side defect record noted in Takata’s tests, reports Car and Driver. Unfortunately, replacement inflators have been noted to be just as defective as the originals according to a Congressional hearing on the airbags. Replacement models are also years away from the market.
So what can drivers in Minneapolis, Minnesota do to keep themselves safe given the expansiveness of the current recall? For one, drivers can stay up to date on recall information through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s updates. Next, drivers shouldn’t delay in taking their cars in to get fixed. If recent deaths are any lesson—even a few days’ delay can be deadly when it comes to these defects.
Finally, many defects go unreported and unnoted every year. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in an accident or due to a possible defect in a vehicle in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you may be entitled to compensation. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a personal injury firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that can review the details of your case and determine whether you may be entitled to money for your car accident.