Teenage Girl Killed by Exploding Takata Airbag

Last week, a seventeen-year-old girl from Texas was killed by an exploding Takata airbag in her Honda Civic. Hers is the 10th death in the U.S. tied to Takata’s malfunctioning airbags.

She should have “walked away”

Huma Hanif’s airbag deployed and ruptured, sending metal shrapnel into her neck when she rear-ended another driver in what police described as a “moderate” crash. According to the lead investigator on the case, the girl was not speeding, and the accident was so minor that everyone involved should have been able to walk away without serious injuries, if not for the exploding airbag.

Instead, Huma died at the scene.

So far, 14 automakers have recalled 24 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace the faulty airbag inflators that can become unstable and rupture.  Millions of additional vehicles equipped with Takata airbags have not yet been recalled. The largest auto recall in U.S. history continues to grow,  but only about 27% of recalled inflators have been repaired, as replacement parts are not widely available. And, many drivers remain unaware that their vehicle is included in the recall. Honda has stated that recall notice was sent to the Hanif family, but they claim they were never notified.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that automakers need to do more than passively mail notices to owners of unsafe vehicles.

Fortunately, consumers can help protect themselves and their families by going to safercar.gov  and entering their car’s VIN number to check for a recall.  This quick and easy step can illuminate potentially dangerous defects and can even save lives.

If you or someone you know was injured by an airbag that exploded when it shouldn’t have, or that sent metal shrapnel into the cabin when it deployed, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. Our legal team has years of experience handling cases against major automakers and manufacturers, and we are actively reviewing cases involving exploding Takata airbags. Fill out our email form or call our office to arrange a free consultation. We never collect a fee unless we win on your behalf.