A teenage driver was tragically killed when an air bag in her car exploded after an auto accident in Houston, Texas. The 17-year-old female, who was driving a 2002 Honda Civic, died due to injuries sustained from the air bag explosion.
The air bag was manufactured by the Takata Corporation, a Japan-based company that manufactures auto parts for vehicles distributed throughout the world. In 2011, a product recall was issued for all vehicles containing the defective air bags.
The problem with the air bags in these vehicles, including the one driven by the victim in Texas, is that they contain inflators powered by ammonium nitrate, a chemical that can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and moisture.
To date, 14 car manufacturers have recalled roughly 24 million affected vehicles, containing 28 million air bag inflators, in the United States so that the inflators can be replaced. However, many of the required repairs have not been completed because the automakers do not have enough replacement parts. Thus far, only around 27 percent of inflators have been replaced.
Among the affected automakers, Honda actually has the best completion rate, having replaced more than half of the recalled air bags. A company official said that Honda has been using various means, including regular mail and social media, to reach consumers and make them aware of the product recall.
For additional information, read the Yahoo.com article, “Teenage Girl Killed by Exploding Takata Air Bag in Texas.”
If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a car accident, or as a result of a faulty product, you need a qualified product liability and personal injury attorney on your side. The experienced NJ product liability and personal injury lawyers at Andres, Berger & Tran can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
