Airbags are safety devices in automobiles designed to prevent vehicle occupants from hitting surfaces such as the steering wheel and the dashboard during a collision. They work thanks to the vehicle’s crash sensors, which immediately send signals to the vehicle to quickly deploy the bags once it detects a violent enough crash.
But what if these sensors malfunction?
Such is the case with multiple Honda vehicles. The Japanese automaker is recalling over 750,000 cars over an issue with their sensors. According to documents shared with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the affected cars’ front passenger seat weight sensor could crack and short circuit, causing the airbags to inflate even when a crash never occurred.
The affected cars include Honda’s Pilot, Accord, Civic, Civic Type-R, HR-V, Odyssey, Fit, Insight, CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline and Accord Hybrid from the 2020 to 2022 model years. Also affected are the MDX, RDX and TLX cars from the 2020 to 2022 model years under Honda’s Acura marque.
Honda said that while it has 3,834 warranty claims related to the issue, it has so far received no reports of injuries or deaths.
Airbags can be dangerous
While airbags can save lives, an airbag that suddenly inflates without warning can cause many injuries to drivers and passengers. Some of these injuries include:
- Burns
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Ear trauma
- Facial injuries
- Fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
If you or your passengers have suffered a defective airbag deployment injury, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit.
Grounds for a product liability lawsuit
Under Georgia law, if a driver or passenger is injured by a faulty airbag, they may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. Product liability refers to the legal responsibility manufacturers, distributors, and retailers bear if their products cause harm.
To establish a product liability claim, the injured party must prove that the product was defective and that the defect directly caused their injury. There are three types of defects that might give rise to a claim:
- Design defects: Inherent flaws in the product’s design.
- Manufacturing defects: Errors made during the production process.
- Failure to warn: Inadequate instructions or warnings about the product’s use.
In Honda’s case, the faulty airbag sensor may be the result of a manufacturing defect.
If you have been injured by a sudden airbag deployment, you might want to consider legal assistance. An attorney experienced in personal injury law may be able to evaluate your case, gather evidence, and help you understand your legal rights and options.
