Airbags, when working properly, inflate during impacts to protect vehicle occupants. In 2016, front airbags saved an estimated 2,756 lives in the U.S. If an airbag does not deploy as it should or deploys when it should not, the result can be a serious accident and physical injuries. As soon as you suspect a defective airbag contributed to your injuries, consult with an attorney. You might have the right to file a claim against the responsible part manufacturer.
The product liability attorneys at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. can represent you if you were injured as a result of a defective airbag or any other faulty vehicle part. Aaron A. Herbert is one of just 2% of Texas personal injury lawyers with personal injury trial law board certification. That puts him in a unique position to get more for your claim, with the ability to go to trial if necessary. Aaron and his team can help you exercise your rights as injured consumer and take legal action in Dallas.
What Are Airbag Defects?
A defect can be anything that makes the airbag fail to fulfill the accepted safety standards in the auto industry. Strict safety codes under federal law control how manufacturers must design, manufacture, and install vehicle airbags.
These codes include specific safety testing requirements to ensure crashworthiness. When a seller fails to meet these standards, the airbag may be defective and unreasonably dangerous for consumers. The following are examples of dangerous airbag defects that have injured people in the past:
- Counterfeit airbags
- Dangerous powders and chemicals in the airbag
- Deploying at random (without a collision)
- Deploying too early or too late
- Exploding airbags
- Expulsion of shrapnel upon deployment
- Malfunctioning on/off airbag switch
- Non-deployment
With a dangerous defect, airbags can do more harm than good. For example, the recent recall on Takata airbags came about due to airbags exploding when they deploy, causing serious injuries and death. Defective airbags could not only fail at protecting occupants during a crash but could also cause injuries by deploying without warning. It’s important to stay up to date on airbag recalls and to consult with an expert Dallas accident attorney after suffering injuries from an airbag malfunction. A conversation with a lawyer can help you understand your rights as an innocent consumer and know what steps to take next.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Defective airbags are extremely dangerous and should never be used in the manufacture of consumer vehicles. When they do, it is up to the manufacturer to take legal responsibility for its mistake and reimburse victims for their losses. Defect-related damages can extend into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s up to you to pursue financial recovery for these losses through a Texas civil claim against the at-fault manufacturer. Hiring a product liability lawyer to represent you is the best way to maximize the results of your claim.
The lawyers at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. can help you file an individual claim against Takata or another airbag manufacturer for a defective product. We can also assist you in joining a class action lawsuit, if applicable. A class action is a type of group lawsuit that can save individual plaintiffs time and money if they’re going up against the same defendant(s). We’ll make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines or filing requirements for an expedited claims process.
When you retain Aaron A. Herbert or one of his associates, you’ll receive one-on-one care from compassionate personal injury attorneys, starting with a free, no-obligation case evaluation. A lawyer will listen carefully to your incident and give you options moving forward. You’ll benefit from our years of experience, knowledge, and education. We have what you need for a strong defective airbag case in Dallas. Submit a request to talk to us online or by phone at (214) 200-4878.