Takata Airbag Injuries in Phoenix

The Takata airbag recall has become one of the largest and most alarming safety scandals in automotive history. At the heart of the issue is a chemical called ammonium nitrate, which was used to inflate airbags during deployment. In Phoenix and across Arizona, the state’s high heat and desert climate can cause this chemical to degrade more quickly. Over time, that instability has led to airbag inflators rupturing during crashes, or even in minor collisions, sending shrapnel and metal fragments flying toward drivers and passengers.

When an airbag meant to save a life malfunctions, the results can be devastating. Victims of Takata airbag explosions may suffer catastrophic injuries, including:

• Severe facial trauma and lacerations
• Eye injuries and vision loss
• Skull or rib fractures
• Dislocated joints, such as the shoulders
• Traumatic brain injuries from forceful impact
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Wrongful death in the most tragic cases

These injuries can leave survivors with lasting medical needs, disfigurement, or permanent disability. The physical pain is compounded by emotional trauma and financial stress from medical bills and lost income.

Takata may have manufactured the defective inflators, but automakers who installed them also bear legal responsibility. In some cases, rental car companies have been sued for providing customers with vehicles that have been recalled. Arizona product liability laws make it clear that companies that design, manufacture, sell, or distribute unsafe products can be held accountable.

The Takata recall began in the early 2000s, but the issue was overlooked for years before it gained national attention. Today, millions of vehicles remain unrepaired, including many on the roads of Phoenix and Maricopa County. With Arizona’s climate accelerating chemical breakdown, local drivers face higher risks than those in cooler, less humid regions.

If you aren’t sure whether your car is part of the recall, you can check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall database. If you’ve already received a recall notice, it’s critical to get repairs done immediately, but if you were injured before repairs could be made, you may still have a strong legal case.

Takata airbag claims can be brought in several ways:

• Individual Lawsuits: If you were injured, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Families who lost loved ones can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional loss.
• Trust Fund Claims: Some cases are resolved through established funds set aside for victims of defective products.
• Class Actions: While class action lawsuits can hold companies accountable on a larger scale, individual claims often secure more personalized compensation.

Compensation in a Takata airbag case depends on the specifics, but often includes:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases

If you believe you or a loved one suffered injuries from a defective Takata airbag, here are the most important steps to take in Phoenix:

• Seek medical attention immediately. Even minor wounds may hide deeper complications.
• Preserve your vehicle. Do not let the car be repaired, sold, or scrapped before it can be examined.
• Gather documentation. Save recall notices, repair orders, hospital records, and photographs of your injuries and the vehicle.
• Contact an attorney. An experienced lawyer can investigate whether a defective airbag was involved and help secure the compensation you deserve.

Takata cases are not like ordinary car accident claims; they require detailed investigation and specialized knowledge. At Morgan & Morgan, we take a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the basics.

Expert Witnesses

We collaborate with engineers, medical experts, and crash reconstruction specialists who can provide detailed explanations of how and why a Takata airbag failed. Their testimony often makes the difference in proving liability in court.

Vehicle Inspections

Our team preserves and examines the damaged vehicle, documenting the airbag inflator, debris patterns, and shrapnel injuries to show a direct link between the defect and your harm.

Document Review

We review years of company records, recall notices, and safety communications to demonstrate that Takata and, in many cases, automakers were aware of the risks and failed to act promptly.

Medical Evidence

By connecting your injuries to the shrapnel patterns and force of deployment, we build a clear picture of how the defective product caused long-term consequences.

This level of preparation strengthens your claim and signals to the other side that we are ready to take your case to trial if necessary.

For over 35 years, Morgan & Morgan has stood up to auto manufacturers and insurance companies that prioritize profits over people. With over 1,000 attorneys nationwide and billions recovered, we have the resources to take on powerful corporations like Takata and the automakers that enabled them. In Phoenix, our attorneys are well-versed in navigating both product liability and wrongful death claims, whether through settlement negotiations or trial proceedings.

Our Fee Is Free™ promise means you pay nothing unless we win. Fill out a free case evaluation today.