New England Defective Exploding Airbags Attorney

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We Represent New England Residents Injured by Dangerous and Defective Airbags

Airbags were first used in some American automobiles in the 1950s but their use did not become widespread in passenger vehicles until the 1970s. Over the past five decades, airbags have managed to save thousands of lives in auto accidents. But in recent years, the airbags themselves have come under scrutiny for manufacturers’ defects that cause the devices to explode and cause many of the same injuries they were designed to protect against.

In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled over 67 million airbags manufactured by the Japanese company Takata Corporation. This action came three years after auto manufacturers started recalling vehicles with Takata airbags after reports of hundreds of injuries and even deaths following explosions. Other countries around the world took similar action, and Takata itself and several executives faced criminal charges in the United States over their actions.

Even today we continue to see reports of people injured by defective airbags. If you are among these victims, it is important to stand up for your right to seek compensation. At Mike Lombardi Injury Attorneys, our qualified New England defective exploding airbags lawyers can review your case and advise you of your rights under the law. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Makes Airbags Dangerous?

An airbag is designed to supplement the protection of a seat belt in a passenger vehicle. The airbag system includes the airbag itself–usually a flexible fabric bag–an inflation module, and a sensor that detects when an impact has occurred. The initial Takata recalls focused on a defect in the inflation module. Basically, Takata used ammonium nitrate in their inflation modules. This chemical is supposed to set off a relatively small explosion that inflates the airbag. But it was later revealed that over time, this chemical became more volatile when exposed to high moisture and temperatures. As a result, many airbag explosions became so powerful they actually hurled shrapnel into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

What Are the Consequences of an Exploding Airbag?

An airbag explosion can be fatal. As of December 2022, there have been at least 33 confirmed deaths worldwide from exploding airbags, including 24 fatalities just in the United States. But even in non-fatal cases, an airbag explosion can lead to a number of serious injuries and long-term health problems, such as the following:

• bone fractures
• burn injuries (due to exposure to the chemicals used in the airbag inflation system)
• eye injuries
• facial trauma
• head injuries
• lacerations
• rib fractures
• spinal cord damage

What Compensation Is Available in a Defective Airbag Lawsuit?

Under New England law, manufacturers can be held civilly liable when their products are defective and lead to consumer injury. Victims of exploding airbags can seek a wide range of legal damages for their accident-related losses, including but not limited to:

• all past, present, and future medical expenses
• lost wages and related income
• compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• in some cases, punitive damages

In addition, if someone has been killed by an exploding air bag, the executor of their estate may bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties. A wrongful death claim permits recovery of damages by the victim’s surviving spouse, children, and parents for the loss of their loved one’s companionship, as well as the victim’s final medical and burial expenses. But under New England law, if a defendant is found responsible, they must be held liable for at least $250,000 in damages.

Does My Car Have a Defective Airbag?

Although the problems with Takata airbags have been known since the early 2010s, there are still many vehicles on the road that still contain the defective inflation systems and thus remain at risk for an explosion. Indeed, even in 2023, auto manufacturers continue to issue recalls for models manufactured over a decade ago due to ongoing airbag defects.

So how can you tell if your car has a defective airbag? The simplest way is to go to the NHTSA’s recall website and enter your 17-digit vehicle identification number, which is located on the lower left of your car’s windshield and your registration card. This will inform you of any safety recalls affecting your vehicle within the past 15 years.

And if you have already been injured as the result of a defective airbag, you need to act promptly to preserve your legal right to seek compensation. Your first step should be to contact a qualified New England defective exploding airbags attorney. Call Mike Lombardi Injury Attorneys today to schedule a confidential case evaluation.