On November 3rd, U.S. regulators imposed the largest fine ever ($200 million) in the auto industry’s history on Takata Corp. Takata Corp has been supplying companies like Honda with airbags and arguably providing incomplete and inaccurate data. Regulators ordered the company to stop producing air-bag inflators that use ammonium nitrate. The decision correlated with a finding made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the chemical was a factor in causing the air-bag explosions that led to 100 injuries and seven deaths.
Recall of Ammonium Nitrate Inflators
The U.S. Transportation Secretary has also pointed out that Takata Corp will have to recall its ammonium nitrate inflators in addition to phasing out production. Thus far, approximately 19 million vehicles with 23 million potentially defective inflators have been recalled. NHTSA has also stated that it could take over four years for manufacturers to come up with enough inflators for those cars that have been recalled. Vehicles considered at a higher risk include those that are located in areas of higher humidity; they will be a priority regarding airbag replacement.
Companies Like Takata Corp Violating Auto Safety Laws
What’s particularly frightening about the Takata Corp situation is that a device designed to save lives has essentially put them at risk. Auto companies have also been breaking auto safety laws and putting people at risk; specifically, Honda was fined $70 million for failing to report hundreds of injury and death claims, General Motors $35 million for not reporting a defective ignition switch, and Fiat Chrysler $105 million for failing to complete 23 safety recalls on over 11 million cars.
Regulations
NHTSA regularly promulgates regulations, particularly in light of frontal crashes and “second collisions” being the leading cause of deaths in vehicles. While the first collision is typically one vehicle striking another or a vehicle striking an object such as a tree, the second collision is the human occupant colliding with the interior of the car.
Frontal airbags are what prevent or mitigate the negative effects of the second collision; however, they have also caused fatalities in some instances, particularly if made with chemicals that randomly explode.
NHTSA amended the occupant crash protection standard to require that any future air bags be designed to create less risk of serious air-bag induced injuries than the current air bags, particularly for small women and young children, by using advanced airbag technology.
Harrell & Nowak Auto Accident Lawyers
Auto accidents aren’t always limited to one car hitting another; a defective safety device can cause just as much—if not more—damage. The auto and car accident attorneys at Harrell & Nowak have helped many victims in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana obtain financial compensation for their injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can help you.