According to FOX News, Honda has confirmed that the motorist who died in a collision in Baton Rouge on July 10 was the victim of a defective airbag. Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) inspected the 2004 Civic earlier this month after the circumstances of the incident were brought to their attention.
The investigation revealed that the 2004 Civic contained a Takata airbag salvaged from a 2002 Civic. At this time, there have been 20 reported deaths attributed to these defective devices.
Consumer Reports claims the defective airbags were installed in 42 million vehicles produced by 19 different automakers between 2002 and 2015. The airbags in question have been known to deploy explosively, spraying shrapnel that can injure and even kill the occupants of the vehicle.
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If you were hurt in a car accident and think a defective product or malfunctioning vehicle may have contributed to your injuries, turn to Laborde Earles Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free case evaluation with an auto accident attorney in Alexandria.
Honda Claims They Urged Owners to Replace the Airbags
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Honda allegedly sent several notices regarding the recall of the Takata airbags to the owners of affected vehicles. By November, a report issued by the NHTSA revealed roughly 65 percent of Hondas that were affected by the recall had been repaired. The repair rate for vehicles produced by other automakers varies from between 2 percent and 50 percent.
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A Honda spokesman claims the company is continuing to cooperate with the government on the investigation regarding the most recent fatality in Baton Rouge. The inflator that was used in that particular 2004 Civic was one of the most dangerous kinds produced. Researchers found that they had a 50 percent chance of exploding in the event of a crash.
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The fatal incident occurred approximately one month after a report revealed Takata was slow to replace the faulty parts, despite the fact that the recall had been underway for 15 years. By June of 2017, automakers had replaced just 43 percent of the defective devices. Normally, they fix 75 percent of vehicles within 18 months of a recall being announced.
Honda was Takata’s largest customer and has taken it upon themselves to go door-to-door, urging owners to replace their cars’ airbags. The company is also relying on social media to track down customers who may have purchased affected vehicles. You can check if your vehicle has been recalled by going to the NHTSA’s website.
If you sustained debilitating injuries in a car accident because of a defective part, turn to Laborde Earles Law Firm. We have helped clients recover more than $200 million in cash settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases.
A compassionate attorney on our team will investigate the details surrounding the crash, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate with the opposing party on your behalf. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer in Alexandria.
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