Takata Linked To Two Additional Deaths
Two recent deaths have been linked to faulty Takata airbags, bringing the total number of fatalities in the United States to 11.
A Texas teen died March 31, 2016, after her 2002 Honda Civic struck the rear of a Honda CR-V. When her airbag deployed, metal shrapnel was hurled into her neck, severing her carotid artery. She was declared dead at the scene of the accident.
A Sheriff’s Deputy who responded to the crash said the young woman should have walked away from the accident, as she was wearing her seatbelt and was not speeding.
Additionally, a Florida woman succumbed to injuries she sustained after a Takata airbag exploded during an automobile accident in 2014. For two years, the once active woman laid in a hospital bed, as the injuries from the faulty airbag had left her a quadriplegic. She passed away last week from complications resulting from her injuries.
Nhtsa Demands Higher Completion Rate
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Takata airbag recall is the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, affecting nearly 24 million vehicles. The recall has had the largest impact on Honda, as the manufacturer has recalled approximately 8.51 million vehicles. In the case of the Texas teen who was killed in March, Honda says several recall notices had been mailed to the vehicle’s owners, yet repairs had not been made.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 7.5 faulty Takata airbags have been replaced as of March 2016. For vehicles recalled through December 2015, Honda has a completion rate of approximately 54 percent, which is higher than other automakers.
The NHTSA is pressuring automakers to achieve a 100 percent completion rate for recall repairs. To meet this goal, Honda has expanded their customer service team in an effort to reach all affected vehicle owners and prevent further injuries and deaths.
Manufacturers of faulty products should be held responsible for their negligent and reckless actions. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Takata airbag, let the experienced Columbus personal injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy help determine if joining a lawsuit against Takata is right for you.
