Defective Takata Airbag Issue Hits Home with Safety Leader

In an ironic twist to the saga of the defective Takata airbags, Dr. Mark R. Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is now personally involved in this huge recall.

Dr. Rosekind recently revealed that a family car normally driven by his wife has been recalled to replace the airbag inflater. He stated that this event is helping him personally experience what millions of car owners in the U.S. have gone through - especially because the parts are not yet available to fix his car.

Japan's Takata Corporation, which supplies auto safety systems and components, first announced a problem with their airbags in 2013. In certain truck and car brands, defective airbags may spray car occupants with broken metal fragments, resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. To date, at least 10 individuals have been killed globally with more than 100 more who have experienced serious injuries.

Reports from the media have alleged that the company knew that the airbags were defective from as early as 2004. The list of vehicles involved with the defective airbags in the U.S. has grown to almost 28 million, including 14 manufacturers and dozens of models.

You can learn more by visiting the NHTSA's Takata Airbag Recalls. To see if your own specific vehicles are involved, check your VINs (vehicle identification numbers) against the NHTSA's up-to-date list.

Your vehicle may have been recalled but your local dealership may not be able to deal with the huge volume of needed repairs and a shortage of replacement parts. To date, 7.5 million airbags have been replaced, representing less than 26% of the affected vehicles.

Drivers are concerned - and rightfully so - about being injured by the defective airbags in the event of a crash, instead of having the airbags protect them and their passengers. Until your dealership is able to replace the defective products, here are a few precautions you can take:

• Don't let a passenger sit in the front seat if that is the affected airbag.
• Use public transportation whenever possible or carpool to limit driving your vehicle.
• Check to see if a loaner car is available from your dealer.
• Rent a car as a replacement - although this is an expensive option.

If you or a family member has been injured by a defective product such as an airbag or car tire, or in any vehicle accident, contact the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to get you the compensation that you and your family deserve. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.