With an estimated 20 million potentially explosive sedentary airbags sitting in used car lots and with some still being utilized by consumers, Takata expects their airbag recall to cost as much as $24 billion. Dealerships are cutting losses and replacing drivers’ airbags free of charge which is continually causing tremendous backlog in recall assignments. Eleven deaths have already been reported. Huma Hanif, a 17-year-old girl from Texas, died from a collision that would have otherwise been altogether minor. According to NY Daily News, Takata airbags are capable of "propelling shrapnel" upon impact which had been the direct cause of Hunif’s severe neck injury and blood loss.
Though consumers are usually contacted by mail concerning recalls, consumers can identify their vehicle’s VIN number, or Vehicle Identification Number (this can be found on the vehicle’s dashboard or driver’s side door) and plug it into safercar.gov to see if they've fallen subject.
Learn how Brad Cooper & Associates LLC can help you if you've suffered from an auto-related accident. Visit our website's subcategory, "Motorcycle, Auto + Truck Accidents."