Mark Rosekind, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be stopping in Orlando to spread awareness about the Takata air bag recall and to encourage people to check if their vehicles are affected by the recall.
Takata has recalled more than 32 million air bags in the United States. At least 8 people have been killed and over 100 injured due to the defective Takata air bags. In fact, Hien Tran of Orlando was killed by a defective Takata air bag.
The Takata Air Bag Defect
The Takata air bags have been deemed to be defective because the air bag can inflate with too much force, causing a metal canister to explode, sending pieces of metal flying at people within the car. In addition to the potential injuries caused by the underlying car accident itself, the flying metal can cause injuries to people’s heads, faces, necks, and any other body part that comes in contact with the shrapnel.
Determining if Your Car is Affected
The first step is to determine whether your car is affected by the recall. The NHTSA has produced a list of vehicles affected by the recall. You can check the list of vehicles here to see if your car is included on the list.
You can also use the NHTSA’s VIN locator tool to determine if your particular vehicle is affected. The VIN locator tool is here.
What to do if Your Vehicle is Affected
If your vehicle is affected by the recall, you should have received or will receive a letter from the vehicle manufacturer regarding the recall and providing you with important information. The letter will be clearly marked with the NHTSA and federal Department of Transportation logos. When you receive the letter, you should make an appointment with your local dealership to get a free fix.
If You Have Been in an Accident with a Defective Air Bag
If you have been in an accident with a defective Takata air bag, and the air bag deployed, you may have received injuries from the shrapnel flying from the defective airbag, in addition to any injuries you sustained as a result of the car accident. The injuries caused by the shrapnel are separate and distinct from the injuries caused directly by the car accident. And, you may be entitled to compensation if you received injuries from the flying shrapnel even if you caused the car accident.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Now
If you have been involved in a car accident, and you think your car is affected by the Takata recall, and particularly if you think you have suffered injuries as a result of a defective Takata air bag, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. The Florida attorneys at Reed & Reed are here to help you through this difficult time and are able to assess your case to determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, East Hillsborough County and throughout the state of Florida. Contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation.