Defective Auto Parts or Components  - Honda Recalls

At the end of October 2014, Honda Motor Co. and other Japanese automakers have recalled approximately 3 million cars that were equipped with potentially explosive airbags. Both passenger-side and driver-side airbags are targeted in this recall, which the world's biggest automotive safety parts maker produced in 2000-02.

Honda Motor Co. recalls a staggering number of over 5 million vehicles, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 16 million vehicles globally have been recalled because of defective airbags since 2008.

The total ranks it among the 5 biggest recalls in the industry's history. You need to consult with an attorney right away if you have been harmed and injured due to a defective airbag in a car accident. Sean M. Cleary is dedicated to helping those affected by faulty airbags and currently handles a case involving an airbag failure.

Honda Recalled Models

Honda's manufacturing defects have resulted in hundreds of product liability lawsuits over the years. On August 6, 2013, Honda received a claim via an NHTSA Hotline complaint of an energetic deployment of a driver's airbag inflator in Florida. On October 10, 2013, Honda inspected the vehicle involved in the incident and confirmed the affected airbag module serial number. 

On June 13, 2014, NHTSA contacted Honda to talk about the possibility of conducting a safety improvement campaign to support the ongoing investigation. The campaign focuses on locations in the US that experience high absolute humidity levels and high temperatures.

Before you decide to purchase a used car, make sure you check all recall information to see if there are any problems that have been disclosed by the NHTSA. You can look up your car on NHTSA's page https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ or your car manufacturer's website to see if it is under a recall. You will need your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to do the lookup. If there is a safety recall, your manufacturer will fix the car or equipment free of charge.

Honda Motor Co. issued its last recall at the end of October 2014 with new notices that currently include 5,051,364 potentially affected vehicles. This recent recall targets owners in the following areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, limited areas near the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, as well as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii.

The potentially affected Honda models include:

• 2001-2007 Honda, the Accord model
• 2001-2002 Honda, the Accord model
• 2001-2005 Honda, the Civic model
• 2002-2006 Honda, the CR-V model
• 2003-2011 Honda, the Element model
• 2002-2004 Honda, the Odyssey model
• 2003-2007 Honda, the Pilot model
• 2006-Honda, the Ridgeline model
• 2003-2006 Acura MDX
• 2002-2003 Acura TL/CL
• 2005 Acura RL

Common Injuries Due to Airbag Failure

Although airbags save lives, accidents, injuries, and deaths involving defective airbags still occur frequently. Usually, injuries are confined to the upper body and can be very serious:

• Neck and head injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Chest injury
• Airbag burns
• Loss of sight/hearing, either temporary or permanent
• Arm and leg fracture
• Amputation of fingers and thumbs
• Internal trauma
• Lacerations

Florida Legislation Regarding Airbags

In Florida, it is against the law to purchase, sell or install on any car a fake airbag or a junk-filled airbag compartment according to Florida Statuses Section 860.146. Often, consumers may not realize that their car has a malfunctioning airbag until it is too late. Defective airbag cases can be very complicated so you should seek legal advice as early as possible following an accident or injury that involves defective airbags. Airbags can also be a safety risk for kids, especially airbags that inflate unnecessarily in minor crashes. An experienced attorney can inform you of your rights and of available solutions.

What Will The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary Do for You?

If you have been injured as a result of a defective product, you can bring personal injury claims within 4 years after the accident, according to Florida state law. You can either negotiate a settlement with the involved insurance company to recover your damages or, if negotiations fail, you can file a lawsuit. Usually, the majority of cases are settled in the pre-trial stages.

Contact Our Law Firm as soon as possible if you have been involved in an accident involving a defective airbag. Skilled in aggressively advancing the legal right of clients injured as a result of defective products.