On Aug. 22, one person was killed and four were injured after a truck transporting Takata airbag parts crashed and blew up in Quemado, Texas, near the Mexican border.
The crash ignited the airbag propellant, destroying the trailer and a nearby home with a woman inside. The woman’s remains were found underneath the rubble from the home, but engine parts from the truck were found two miles away from the rest of the wreckage.
The accident displays the potency of the ammonium nitrate propellant used in Takata airbags, which are subject to the largest automotive safety recall in U.S. history.
More than 64 million airbags have been recalled because there is a risk of a violent explosion when the airbags are deployed. The airbags have been linked to 150 injuries and 14 deaths.
Transporting Dangerous Cargo
Takata transports its airbag propellant via truck from Moses Lake, Washington, to its manufacturing plant in Eagle Pass, Texas. The trip is approximately 2,000 miles and takes about 36 hours.
Drivers wear fire-resistant clothing, rubber-soled boots, helmets and safety goggles to protect them against the cargo.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reviewed the incident and determined that Takata followed safety requirements on this trip.
However, this is the second time Takata has had an incident involving ammonium nitrate. In 2006, a Takata factory was damaged by a series of explosions triggered by this dangerous chemical compound. While no one was injured, the explosion did blow out the windows of nearby homes and forced individuals in the area to evacuate.
Have you or a loved one been injured by a Takata airbag? You should seek legal representation immediately from a reputable Takata airbag recall lawyer to find out if you are entitled to compensation.
The skilled Takata airbag recall lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy will review your claim for free and inform you of all of your legal options. Our injury lawyers in Cincinnati are ready to help you today.