We’ve all heard about the eight million or so Toyota vehicles that have been recalled in the last six months. Now we can add an additional half a million Hondas. Honda has announced that it is adding an additional half a million vehicles to it previous recall of over 300,000 vehicles that was originally initiated in November of 2008. The original recall included certain 2001 Honda Accords and Civics. Honda has added additional 2001 and 2002 Accords, Civics, Odysseys, CR-V’s and selected 2002 Acura TL’s to the list of recalled vehicles.
The problem with the vehicles appears to be a potential defect in the inflation system of the driver’s airbag. The mechanism that inflates the airbag can produce over-pressurization of the driver’s airbag during deployment of the airbag. If an affected inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Upon rupturing, metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material and cause serious injuries or even cause a fatality to vehicle occupants. Honda acknowledges that at least one person has died as a result of the airbag defect and several others have already been injured. At this point, Honda admits that it is aware of at least 12 incidents associated with the defective airbags.
We have all come to depend on the concept of airbags. We assume that in the event of an accident, they may save our lives. What makes this recall particularly disturbing is that the very thing that has been incorporated into our vehicles to save our life may ultimately be what ends our life. Additionally, this is the type of defect that we would never have any reason to suspect until it’s too late. After all, we don’t use our airbags during normal operation of the vehicle. We don’t have them checked during tune-ups. We just assume that they are there and that they will deploy to protect us in the event of an accident.
As with the recent Toyota recalls, complaints of accidents and injuries due to the airbag defect have poured into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While Honda has acknowledged 12 “incidents” that involved the defective airbags, there are undoubtedly more that Honda has yet to acknowledge. If you believe that you have suffered injuries as a result of an accident with one of the vehicles listed in the Honda recall – or any recall – then contact an experienced California personal injury and product liability attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced California attorney can assess your situation and advise you how best to proceed with any claim you may have against the other driver or against the manufacturer of any vehicle involved. The laws controlling product liability and personal injury cases are complex, but if you have suffered injuries through someone else’s negligence, then you may be able to receive compensation for those injuries.
If you would like an experienced attorney to evaluate your case, contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit us at www.ledgerlaw.com.
