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Defective auto part recall based on location called into question

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2014 | Products Liability

For people in Virginia, a product recall of automobiles is something to keep a close eye on. These problems that are attributed to a defective auto part or an automobile design defect can cause severe injuries and even fatalities. Because the safety of a vehicle hinges on the functionality of the car parts, any national recall – even one that is limited to certain geographical regions – must be watched closely by people across the entire country.

Virginia residents who might have breathed a sigh of relief at the geographical nature of the recall of airbags made by the Takata Corporation might need to think again before dismissing the issue entirely. The problem has been linked to at least four fatalities and the recall was limited to locations with what is being referred to as “absolute humidity.” Florida, Guam and Puerto Rico were some of the areas that were subject to the recall. Critics, including lawmakers, are saying that a limited recall is ignoring the reality of travel and how commerce moves from one area to the other. One of the deaths due to this defective auto part happened in Virginia.

When a person purchases a product, they have a reasonable belief that they will be safe in using it. However, that is not always the case and it is then that product liability will come to the forefront. Products such as motor vehicles have so many different parts that must all work cohesively. If there is a defect in any one part, it can lead to serious risks to drivers and passengers. In some instances, people might not even realize that a crash and the injuries or deaths that occurred were due to an automobile design defect or a defective auto part.

Injuries can result in massive medical costs and long-term damage. Fatalities can deprive families of a cherished loved one. It’s imperative that these cases be fully investigated to consider litigation.

In the case of the airbags, when they deploy, they have the potential of exploding and releasing metal pieces into the cabin of the vehicle, injuring or killing occupants. The recalls to date have been geographical, but that is under serious discussion from critics calling for a more widespread recall. Those who believe they might have been harmed by this defect should discuss their case with an experienced attorney to decide their next step.

Source: NBCNews.com, “Critics Take Aim at ‘Geographic Recalls’ Amid Air Bag Defects,” Paul A. Eisenstein, Nov. 2, 2014

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