Airbag recalls are on the rise. Despite being designed to save lives, faulty or failed automobile airbags can cause serious injuries or even death. Automobile airbags are designed to save lives, placing an instantaneous, physical buffer between a motorist’s body and a vehicle’s frame. But the sheer force with which airbags are deployed and common changes that can happen over time potentially can cause more harm than help, say car accident attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell. In 2012, automakers hit a dubious record with 23 airbag-related recalls, according to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In just the past six months alone, there have been 23 recalls, 15 of them happening in 2013. At this rate, 2013 could be another record-breaking year for recalls. Among the problems that lead to recalls are airbags that fail to deploy when a collision happens, airbags that deploy prematurely, and problems that arise as vehicles age, including ruptured airbag housing units and airbags with degraded or broken-off parts that can become shrapnel when a bag deploys. Potential consequences can include skin abrasions and lacerations; hearing or eye damage; broken noses, fingers, hands or arms; and head or neck injuries. The root cause of many airbag-related injuries is the force necessary for quick deployment. And studies show that in the United States, airbags typically are more forceful than those in other countries. Though airbags are credited with saving upwards of 3,000 lives a year, the dangers they pose are real, potentially life-altering and all too common. If you or your dependents have been injured by an airbag’s faulty deployment or its failure to deploy, get medical treatment immediately. Then, call 800-251-1111 and schedule a consultation with an auto accident lawyer with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell.
