Family of Killed 17-Year-Old Settles Faulty Airbag Lawsuit

As drivers and passengers, we count on airbags to protect us in the event of a collision. Few people would think that these airbags could actually be the source of trauma and pain. Unfortunately, this is exactly what’s happening with airbags produced by Takata. Typically found in Hondas, these airbags are incredibly dangerous and explosive. In one case, a 17-year-old girl lost her life due to this faulty product.

The Case

Huma Hanif was killed on March 31 after her Civic was in an accident. The airbag inflated like it was supposed to but not without a metal piece breaking apart and causing her fatal injuries. This is in-line with the reported explosions happening in the metal canisters that are part of the Takata airbag make up. Grieving for their loss, her family filed a lawsuit against Takata, the car dealer they purchased the Civic from, and Honda. All three have recently settled the case with her family outside of court. The settlements were for an undisclosed amount, as is common in these types of cases. Due to this incredibly tragic event her family will mourn their loss for the rest of their lives. Money can’t bring her back, but the settlement can ease any financial burdens caused by this loss.

The Danger

There have been reports of the Takata airbags exploding for several years. Recalls have been issued for up to 40 million vehicles so that owners can have their airbags repaired, or replaced, at no charge. However, though millions of notices have gone out, there are still millions of vehicles that have gone unrepaired which puts any driver or passenger, using a vehicle with this make of airbag, at risk.

The recalls extend to Honda Civics, Accords, Pilots, Odysseys and potentially more. The best way to find out if your vehicle has been recalled is to visit www.safercar.gov where you can enter the VIN for more information. We encourage you to do so on a regular basis since it could actually save your life.

Your Options

First, you need to see if there’s a recall issued for your vehicle so that it can be repaired. If the dealer is not giving you the option to have it repaired but you’re still concerned, you may need to take legal action. However, in most cases the dealers will work with you so that the repairs can be made prior to you having a problem.

If it is too late for this and you have already been harmed by a defective airbag, your best option is to call our office and schedule a consultation. We can go over the specifics of your case, and what happened, before making a recommendation. In most cases, we can take legal action by filing a lawsuit, on your behalf, against Takata. They manufactured the faulty airbags and are the one negligent, and so are responsible to pay for any injuries that you have suffered.

The key is to file the lawsuit before reaching the statute of limitations. We also need to ensure that you receive the right amount of money to compensate for your injuries, expenses, and any money that you have lost as a result of the accident.

Schedule a Consultation

If you, or someone you know, has been injured due to a faulty airbag, call The Higgins Firm at (615) 353-0930 and schedule a consultation. We can review what happened and let you know what your legal options are.