New recall issued due to the potential for airbag related injuries in Jeep Wranglers.
As the number of Takata airbags recalled reaches 60 million, many people may have been congratulating themselves on not owning one of the many models of cars that use dangerous Takata airbags. Unfortunately, Jeep owners can no longer revel in their good luck, as a major airbag recall has just been issued for 500,000 Jeep Wranglers.
The recall was announced last month, and affects cars from the 2007-2010 model years. According to the owner of Jeep, Fiat Chrysler, the safety issue has to do with a problem with the clockspring assemblies and related components that control airbag deployment.
Over time, excessive exposure to dust and dirt coming through the steering column shrouds and the back covers of the steering wheels could impact the clockspring and cause the airbag to fail. If this happens, a warning lamp on the dashboard will be illuminated, so Jeep owners do have a way of telling if their vehicle has already been compromised by the defect.
Dangers of Defective Airbags
Fiat Chrysler has said it is currently unaware of any injuries or deaths related to the clockspring problem. However, we know from other accidents that having an airbag fail to deploy or deploy at the wrong speed can be very dangerous. Without the protection of an airbag, people can easily suffer serious head, neck and spine injuries, as well as various lacerations, contusions, and fractures from the impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or side door of a vehicle. If an airbag deploys too rapidly, injuries may be just as severe. Facial injuries and eye injuries are especially common in this kind of scenario.
Defective Parts and Auto Accident Liability
Normally, if you get into an auto accident you can only seek compensation if you were less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. But if a defective auto part caused your injuries, it does not really matter whether you caused the accident that led to the defective part malfunctioning. The auto manufacturer is always responsible for the safety of their vehicles. For example, say you accidentally ran your car into a tree. The airbag failed to deploy and you suffered a serious head injury. The auto manufacturer and/or the airbag manufacturer are liable, because the injury would not have occurred—or would not have been so severe—had the airbag functioned as promised.
If you have been injured in an accident and you believe a manufacturer’s defect played a role, it is extremely important to contact an experienced car accident injury attorney like Fernando D. Vargas right away. Attorney Vargas understands the challenges that come with pursuing a claim against a big auto company and he will fight aggressively for you to secure full and fair compensation for your injuries.
To request a free initial consultation, please call us at 909-982-0707.
