Minnesota motorists may want to check if the airbags in their cars have inflators manufactured by Takata. The inflators are defective, causing some of the airbags to violently explode. They have been responsible for causing several fatalities and serious injuries across the country.
As many as one in 10 U.S. cars may be affected. The inflators have been the subject of a massive recall, prompting federal regulators to try to speed up getting replacement parts. The airbags with the faulty inflators were used by 12 different automakers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 31 percent of the affected vehicles had been repaired by Feb. 2.
Approximately 29 million airbags have been recalled involving 2000 to 2015 car models. Some cars have had to undergo multiple recalls, as the initial replacement parts provided by Takata were also defective. The inflators become more dangerous with age, giving older models a higher risk of exploding. Cars that are 2008 and older models carry the greatest risk, especially for those in humid climates.
People who have incurred airbag injuries may want to obtain the assistance a personal injury attorney who handles product liability litigation. An attorney may be able to conduct the investigation necessary to show that the product was defective and caused the injuries. The attorney may also be able to identify all of the defendants to name in addition to the manufacturer. Through a products liability lawsuit, injured victims may seek compensation for the losses that they have incurred, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.