Takata has been dealing with airbag issues and recalls since 2008, and people affected by these defective and deadly airbags will finally start to be compensated for their injuries. Last month a United States Bankruptcy Court approved the creation of a fund for the payout of claims against Takata for their defective airbags, and you can read the details here.
The experienced attorneys at Martinson & Beason, P.C. have been following this recall closely and previously detailed many aspects of the Takata recall. We are currently evaluating personal injury claims related to the Takata airbag recall, so do not hesitate to contact us if you or someone you know has been injured by a Takata airbag.
Claims against Takata airbags involve numerous different brands of vehicles (Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, etc.) and even claims for minor injuries will be reviewed for possible compensation, including those involving single car accidents. The Takata recalls have affected approximately 37 million vehicles and have resulted in 15 deaths and 240 injuries, but the fund will only pay claims related to personal injury, NOT economic loss.
Economic claims include lost wages, inability to use the vehicle, depreciation of the value of the vehicle, and cost to repair the vehicle, among others. Those seeking damages for economic loss would have to file as a creditor against Takata in their bankruptcy case.
Personal injury claims would range anywhere from minor abrasions and contusions to broken limbs and even paralysis and death in some instances. Court documents have detailed that some of the more serious personal injury claims, such as loss of vision, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and death, would likely exceed 1 million dollars for each claim. However, each person’s recovery will depend on a complicated point system that accounts for age, dependents, suffering, and income.
Please contact us today if you have been injured in a car accident and your vehicle was equipped with a Takata airbag to see if you may qualify for recovery.