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Yet another warning has been issued to vehicle owners throughout the United States. This time, the warning concerns defective airbags. Federal auto safety regulators recently advised the owners of almost five million vehicles with airbags made by the Takata Corporation to "act immediately" to get them repaired, as they have been shown to be defective. So far, the problematic airbags have been linked to at least two deaths, according to the New York Times.

Takata's airbags are installed in a variety of automobiles, to include Hondas, Mazdas, BMWs, Nissans and Toyotas. Regulators issued the warning after receiving new test results from Takata. More specifically, the tests revealed that the propellant used to make the airbags inflate is defective. Apparently, when a collision occurs, the propellant, due to its strength, can rupture its container. When that happens, metal parts can be shot at the driver or front-seat passenger, causing serious injury or death. Ft. Myers personal injury attorney Randall Spivey knows of the devastation that can be caused by an accident, and he is prepared to assist those individuals who have experienced harm due to defective airbags or for any other reason.

Owners Should Heed the Warning

Safety regulators have specifically pointed out the importance for vehicle owners in states with high humidity, like Florida and Hawaii, to get their airbags repaired as quickly as possible. This is because Takata advised that the issue with the propellant is more likely to happen in states that have such climates.

Still, even though a warning has been issued, a major concern is whether there are enough replacement parts available to cover all the affected automobiles, as many of the vehicles are more than 10 years old. The Times article noted that Toyota has made plans to send distributors along the Gulf Coast "additional stock of available parts." However, the automaker has asked the distributors to make the dealers located in high humidity areas along the coast a top priority. Toyota acknowledged that constraints exist with respect to the supplier's ability to meet potential needs, but they intend to focus the supply they do have on the areas considered in Takata's test results.

Honda has sent owners recall letters in waves as parts become available. They, too, are focusing on individuals in high humidity areas given their limitations, but they are currently unable to provide an estimate of when all the airbags will be repaired.

Let a Ft. Myers Personal Injury Attorney Help

Unfortunately, consumers who are involved in accidents with automobiles that contain the defective airbags run the risk of serious injury and even death. That is why it is crucial for owners to immediately check Safercar to see if their automobile is affected. This is not the first time that Takata has been in the news with respect to faulty products, and it is clear that several incidents occurred before the company finally decided to take action.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to an auto accident involving a defective airbag or for any other reason, contact a Ft. Myers personal injury attorney at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. right away.