Our Arkansas car accident lawyers believe that safety is the number one priority to take into consideration before driving your vehicle.
One of the main life savers in your vehicle are the airbags. Airbags are considered to be life savers but can be very deadly if not used properly. Car dealerships, automakers and car owners must know the safety procedures that go along with having a stable airbag system to protect the driver and passenger of the vehicle. Automakers and car dealerships must strictly guide vehicle occupants on how to make the right decision on when or when not to drive your car if the airbag doesn’t function properly.
There are millions of cars on the road in the United States today, which means a wreck can happen at any time. As a result of this, drivers need a cushion to protect themselves from serious injuries or death. Automobile companies and owners need to be aware of what they put in their cars for safety reasons before they’re shipped to a dealership for purchase. Automobile airbag companies such as Takata should take major measures on manufacturing proper airbags. According to the Department of Transportation and Public Safety, it’s estimated that the Takata airbags have saved 37,000 lives between 1987-2012.
The Takata airbags have also had their share of problems. They have caused drivers life-threatening injuries to the face and neck and a limited amount of fatalities. As a result of these injuries and fatalities, many auto manufacturers have tackled the safety risks by recalling all vehicles installed with Takata airbags. According to the NHTSA, auto manufacturing companies such as Ford and Honda/Acura have recalled all their vehicles. Ford recalled 447,310 vehicles and Honda/Acura recalled all of their vehicles nationwide that totaled to about 5.4 million vehicles. The NHTSA investigations proved that the airbags were not working properly. The New York Times reported that Takata was aware of the hazardous affects before they put them out into the market with federal regulators. Sources also stated that the company’s research and its research materials were halted and destroyed.
If your vehicle is recalled by its manufacturer or affected by the recall there are a few tips that can help drivers avoid any severe injuries or death. First, minimize your driving by carefully planning your destination, carpooling with someone whose car is not affected by a recall, utilize public transportation, or rent a car. Before buying a new vehicle from a previous owner it’s best to always check the parts for safety reasons and have the right paperwork to prove you bought it and that it’s safe to drive. Takata airbags must be tested and must reach federal regulation expectations before they are inserted into a vehicle. Auto manufacturers such as BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota have all taken notice of the airbag crisis by recalling their vehicles and advised vehicle owners to schedule immediate appointments with their various dealerships to replace the vehicle or missing parts of the vehicle such as airbags. The NHTSA and automakers must gather as much information and data in order to take firm action to regulate safety measures on the making and usage of airbags. Consumers must also take notice when their vehicles are involved in a vehicle recall. It’s advisable for vehicle owners to drive to their local car dealership or arrange a day and time for the vehicle to be picked up by the car manufacturer, if the owner doesn’t want drive. SAFETY should be the number one priority for driving a vehicle and drivers must know the condition of their vehicle. Always contact your local car dealership when a recall occurs for a vehicle inspection and/or replacement.
