Airbag Defect Litigation Involving Ohio Vehicles

Defective airbags can cause serious or fatal injuries when they fail to deploy, deploy improperly, or rupture violently during a collision. Individuals harmed by airbag defects may be entitled to pursue financial compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and other substantial losses. Our firm focuses on complex airbag defect litigation nationwide and works with experienced local co-counsel in jurisdictions where injuries occur, subject to applicable court approval.

Vehicles operated in Ohio have been involved in incidents where airbag malfunctions contributed to severe injuries. Determining whether an airbag defect played a role often requires careful review of recall information, vehicle components, crash data, and medical records.

Identifying Whether an Airbag May Be Defective

Tens of millions of vehicles sold in the United States since the late 1990s have been recalled due to airbag defects. Many major manufacturers have issued airbag-related recalls, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued warnings regarding certain vehicles produced by manufacturers such as:

• Acura
• BMW
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• Ford
• Honda
• Infiniti
• Mazda
• Nissan
• Pontiac
• Toyota

These manufacturers are not the only ones affected by airbag recalls. Vehicle owners can check the NHTSA recall database to determine whether a particular vehicle is subject to an airbag recall. Even when a recall exists, injuries may still occur if a defective airbag deploys before repairs are completed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airbag Defects

What makes an airbag defective?
An airbag may be considered defective if it contains a design or manufacturing flaw that causes it to malfunction. Defects can result in non-deployment, delayed deployment, partial inflation, or explosive rupture.

Does insurance cover injuries caused by an airbag malfunction?
Insurance coverage depends on the circumstances. When an airbag malfunction is caused by a defect, recovery may involve product liability issues rather than ordinary insurance claims.

How much does it cost to replace a faulty airbag?
Recalled airbags are often replaced at no cost through authorized dealerships. In some situations, warranty coverage may apply. Replacement costs can vary when neither option is available.

How are airbag defect claims typically handled?
Airbag defect matters often involve technical investigation and legal analysis to determine whether a manufacturer or other party may be responsible for the injuries sustained.

Discussing Airbag Defect Litigation

Our practice is devoted to handling airbag defect matters on a national level, frequently in coordination with local counsel where permitted. If an airbag-related injury occurred in a vehicle operated in Ohio, the circumstances may warrant further review to determine whether a defect contributed to the harm.

Attorney David P. Willis is licensed in Texas and New York and works with local counsel in other jurisdictions where permitted by law. Consultations are confidential, and there is no cost to discuss whether an airbag defect may have played a role in an injury.