CHARLOTTE AIRBAG INJURY LAWYERS

Many defective airbag claims are tied to Takata airbags, which were installed in vehicles starting as early as the late 1990s. These airbags can explode violently upon deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin.

Brands with affected models include:

• Honda and Acura
• Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury
• BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen
• GM brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, Saturn, and Saab
• Toyota, Lexus, and Scion
• Nissan and Infiniti
• Mercedes-Benz
• Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru
• Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler
• Tesla, Ferrari, McLaren, and others

If you’re not sure whether your car has a recalled airbag, you can look it up using your VIN on the NHTSA’s recall website. Or, contact us, and we’ll help you check and explain your next steps.

When an airbag malfunctions, by deploying too forcefully, too late, or not at all, it can cause serious harm. Some common injuries include:

• Severe cuts and lacerations
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Facial and dental fractures
• Burns from hot gases or chemicals
• Chest and neck trauma
• Eye injuries and vision loss
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Torn arteries and internal bleeding
• Wrongful death

Even when the initial crash is survivable, a faulty airbag can turn a minor accident into a catastrophic event.

North Carolina allows injured victims to file a product liability claim when a defective car part causes harm, including those related to airbags. Whether your airbag exploded unexpectedly or failed to deploy entirely, you may have a case against the manufacturer, distributor, or even the dealership that sold you the car.

Victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and ongoing treatment
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Vehicle damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases

A common question after high-profile recalls, such as Takata’s, is: Do I still have a case if the company files for bankruptcy?

Yes, you might. Takata declared bankruptcy in 2017, and a $125 million trust fund was established specifically to compensate victims injured by their airbags. That fund is managed separately from the company’s assets and continues to accept claims.

Even if the company responsible for the airbag is no longer in business, you may still have legal options. The vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or dealer may also share liability. Our attorneys can identify all potentially responsible parties and pursue every available path to compensation.

Responsibility often depends on how and why the airbag failed. Depending on the facts of your case, any of the following parties could be liable:

• The airbag manufacturer (e.g., Takata)
• The automaker (e.g., Honda, Ford, BMW)
• A parts supplier or third-party vendor
• A car dealership or used car lot that failed to disclose recalls
• A repair shop that incorrectly serviced your airbag system

Our legal team investigates not only the defective component but also the entire chain of production and sale to ensure that no liable party is overlooked.

It’s not only exploding airbags that pose a risk; airbags that fail to deploy when they should can be just as deadly. If you were in a crash and your airbags didn’t activate, and your injuries worsened as a result, you may still have a strong claim.

We’ll work with experts to evaluate your vehicle, download crash data, and determine whether the system failed due to a design flaw, sensor issue, or improper installation.

The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your case. After an airbag injury, we recommend collecting:

• Medical records and injury reports
• Photos of your injuries and the airbag
• Crash scene documentation and vehicle damage reports
• Police reports or witness statements
• VIN and recall information
• Repair or maintenance records related to the airbag

If you're unsure where to begin, we can help guide you through gathering and preserving evidence, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

In most cases, the statute of limitations for filing a product liability claim in North Carolina is three years from the date of injury. There’s also a 12-year statute of repose from the date the product was first sold, so if your vehicle is older than that, some legal limitations may apply.

Waiting too long can make it harder to gather critical evidence or access compensation through trust funds, such as Takata’s. The sooner you reach out, the better.

Airbag injury cases are different from typical car accident claims. They often involve complex product liability laws, technical evidence, and the need to take on massive auto manufacturers. That’s not something every law firm is equipped to do, but we are.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped thousands of clients nationwide recover compensation for defective products, including multimillion-dollar airbag verdicts and settlements. We’ve gone head-to-head with major corporations, and we don’t stop fighting until our clients get what they deserve.

If a defective airbag injured you or someone you love, don’t wait. You may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Fill out our free case evaluation form today, and one of our attorneys serving Charlotte will review your situation at no cost. You don’t pay us unless we win.