Drivers of Acura and Honda cars made between 2001 and 2003 face special dangers due to the potential 50 percent humidity that is often an everyday occurrence in South Florida. These models of cars utilize airbag inflators that have been proven to explode when deployed. Instead of the intention for which the air bags were designed, to save lives, the vehicles with the Takata airbags can potentially harm, or even kill, the person(s) they were meant to protect.
The recall of Takata airbags is one of the largest in history, and the company’s representatives and government regulators want owners of these cars to stop driving them immediately and have them repaired. If you have suffered injuries as a result of one of these defective airbags, contact a qualified personal injury attorney to learn what yours rights you have.
SOUTH FLORIDA AT FOREFRONT OF TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL
In January, new and stronger warnings were aimed at the drivers of cars potentially more at risk in Southern Florida. In fact, South Florida has the highest number of cars at risk and that is primarily due to our tendency toward humid weather. The cars listed below have airbags with a 50 percent chance of malfunctioning, causing serious harm, injuries, or even death to its occupants. Several Florida drivers have already been injured and one death has been attributed to the malfunctioning airbag. Some of the claims say that, “Metal shrapnel shoots out at you … like a grenade going off in your face.” The defective airbags can shoot metal from the dashboard of your vehicle at a reported 100 miles per-hour; that makes for an extremely severe impact. How do you know for sure if your car is one that needs to be repaired? Enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the website: Airbagrecall.com.
SUMMER IS NEARING
As summer approaches, Floridians need to take note. In September 2016, only one in four of the affected vehicles had been repaired. That equates to approximately 305,000 vehicles out of an estimated 19 million that have been identified with the defective airbags. The number of cars affected and added to the recall is expected to grow in the next few years. Southern Florida has been targeted, in particular, as a location where urgent warnings should go out to all drivers of this impending danger. Cars included in this high priority category include:
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Acura TL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- 2002 Honda Civic
- 2002 Honda Accord
- 2002 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2001 Honda Civic
- 2001 Honda Accord
If you, or anyone you know, own and drive one of these makes of cars, it is imperative that they not be driven any farther until the airbag has been repaired or replaced. Honda has offered to have the vehicles towed, if necessary, to the nearest facility for repair.
U.S. DOT ACCELERATED REPLACEMENT
In December 2016, the U.S. DOT amended an order for replacement parts for the affected Takata air bags. This amendment sets forth “requirements for when automakers must have replacement parts available for customers and sets progress and completion deadlines for replacements of the defective parts which have been responsible for 11 deaths and approximately 180 injuries in the United States.”
If you have suffered injuries from a defective product, such as the recall of Takata airbags, contact a personal injury attorney to learn what options you may have to gain reimbursement for medical expenses, and pain, suffering, lost wages and other related expenses.
We come into contact with many products in our daily lives, and, sadly, not all of them were manufactured to the minimal safety standards. Let an experienced personal injury attorney help you understand the courses of action that may be available to you.