Within the United States, faulty Takata airbags have been tied to a total of 11 deaths, including two recent fatalities, and nearly 100 injuries.
In March, a 17-year old motorist lost her life after her 2002 Honda Civic collided with another vehicle, deploying the defective Takata airbag. The high school student was not speeding and was wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred, according to a local law enforcement official.
Her car sustained only moderate property damage and Deputy Danny Beckwith from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's office in Texas said everyone involved should have walked away from the collision. However, when the defective airbag ruptured, it sent flying metal shrapnel into the air which then severed the victim's carotid artery.
Last week, a Florida woman died because of fatal injuries associated with a defective Takata airbag. She was in a slow speed crash and sustained severe injuries just days before the initial Takata recall began with Honda vehicles. Her death brings the Takata fatality figure to 11.
The woman's family holds Takata and its faulty airbags responsible for her untimely death and their trial against Takata is scheduled to begin this August.
Response to Disturbing Takata Deaths
Senator Bill Nelson issued a statement in response to the 11th U.S. death. He said the most recent fatality due to a defective Takata product reveals that present recall attempts are not working and auto manufacturers and Takata need to up their efforts to fix each affected car before someone else is killed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also issued a response stating it, "is renewing its call to all auto manufacturers involved in the Takata airbag recall to intensify and expand their outreach to affected vehicle owners."
So far, around 24 million vehicles with defective Takata airbags have been recalled by 14 auto manufacturers.
If you, or your loved one, was hurt because of a faulty Takata airbag, contact the knowledgeable product liability attorneys at Greg Coleman Law right away to discuss your legal claim. Our team of attorneys have obtained various settlements and verdicts on behalf of defective product victims.
Call (865) 247-0080 or fill out a contact form to get started.
