Miami Takata Airbag Injuries

According to multiple accident reports gathered from all corners of the country, the metal debris released during the explosion is the leading cause of severe and even fatal injuries. Some of the injuries attributed to Takata airbag explosions include but are not limited to gaping wounds, severe lacerations, facial injuries, torn arteries, and skull fractures.

Perhaps taking a look at some horrific real-life examples of Takata airbag injuries will highlight the seriousness of the issue.  

Closer home in Florida, Orlando, to be precise, a woman was involved in a car accident in which the airbag deployed and the inflator exploded, sending metal fragments into the passenger compartment. Police officers initially thought that her injuries were stab wounds, highlighting the severity of the airbag-related injuries she sustained.

Then there is the September 2013 accident in Alhambra, California. Upon arriving at the scene, the police initially believed that the driver had been shot in the face due to the severity of the injuries. It was later found that when the airbag of the 2002 Acura TL deployed, it sent out explosive shrapnel, tragically causing the driver's death.  

Another driver, Kristy Williams, was driving a 2001 Honda Civic when the Takata airbag deployed unexpectedly, tearing into her carotid artery. Although she managed to survive the 2010 incident by applying pressure to the wound, the injury caused her life-long complications. 

Sadly, in April 2016, a teenage girl lost her life due to an exploding airbag in her 2002 Honda Civic. The car rear-ended another vehicle, causing the airbags to deploy and release lethal shrapnel that struck her neck, resulting in her death. The saddest part is that CNBC reported that the crash wasn’t that serious; the 17-year-old girl likely would have survived had it not been for the defective airbag.

Multiple reports have shown that the combination of time, temperature changes, and humidity plays a significant role in the degradation of the PSAN propellant within the inflators. As a result of this breakdown, the propellant may burn at a faster rate, generating excessive pressure that surpasses the inflator's capacity to handle it. This can lead to potentially hazardous situations when the airbag is deployed. 

Takata’s failure to warn the public about the defective airbags, despite knowing about them, was the reason many people suffered serious injuries and lost their loved ones. If you or a loved one is a victim, we might be able to help you hold the automobile part manufacturer accountable and claim the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today to learn more.