According to publicly reported court records, a Florida jury recently awarded millions of dollars to a driver who suffered severe injuries after a defective airbag deployed during a crash, years after the manufacturer had issued a recall. According to reports, the airbag inflator ruptured on impact, sending metal fragments into the driver and causing permanent injuries. The case highlighted a troubling reality for many motorists. Even when recalls are issued, dangerous products often remain on the road, putting unsuspecting drivers and passengers at serious risk. For victims, the incident raises an important question: what legal options are available when a recalled product causes harm long after the warning was issued?
Why Defective Airbags Are So Dangerous
Airbags are designed to save lives, but when they malfunction, they can become deadly. Defective inflators may deploy with excessive force or explode, releasing shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin. In many of these cases, drivers suffer facial fractures, eye injuries, nerve damage, or life-threatening bleeding. Unlike typical crash injuries, airbag-related harm can occur even in low-speed collisions because the defect itself causes the injury.
In Florida, a significant number of injuries have been linked to recalled airbag systems, particularly older vehicles that remain in use years after a recall notice was issued. Many owners never receive proper notice, purchase used vehicles without recall repairs, or delay servicing due to cost or inconvenience.
How Vehicles Stay on the Road After a Recall
Recalls do not automatically remove dangerous vehicles from circulation. Manufacturers are required to notify owners, but they cannot force repairs unless a vehicle is brought in voluntarily. Cars often change hands multiple times, and updated ownership records are not always available. As a result, recalled vehicles may remain unrepaired for years.
In the Florida case, the injured driver was operating a vehicle equipped with a recalled airbag that had not been replaced. When the inflator ruptured, it caused injuries far beyond what would normally be expected from the crash itself. These situations demonstrate how recalls alone do not eliminate risk and why legal accountability remains essential.
When Product Liability Applies
Product liability laws allow injured victims to seek compensation when a defective product causes harm. In airbag cases, liability may arise from design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to provide adequate warnings. Manufacturers can be held responsible if they knew or should have known about the danger and failed to act promptly or effectively.
In recalled airbag cases, liability does not disappear simply because a recall was issued. Courts may still find manufacturers responsible if the recall process was inadequate, if replacement parts were delayed, or if warnings failed to reach vehicle owners. In some cases, distributors or automakers may also share responsibility depending on their role in the defect.
Who May Be Held Responsible
Several parties may be legally responsible for injuries caused by defective airbags. These may include the airbag manufacturer, the vehicle manufacturer, distributors involved in the supply chain, or even dealerships that sold vehicles with unresolved recalls. Determining liability requires a detailed investigation into the product’s history, recall timeline, and how the defect contributed to the injury.
Victims should not assume that responsibility lies with only one company. Product liability cases often involve multiple defendants, each of whom may bear a share of the fault.
What Victims Should Do After an Airbag Injury
After an airbag-related injury, immediate medical attention is critical. Some injuries, including internal bleeding or vision damage, may worsen over time. Victims should also take steps to preserve evidence. The vehicle, airbag components, and crash data can be crucial in proving a defect.
Key steps include:
- Seeking medical treatment and following all recommendations
- Photographing injuries and vehicle damage
- Preserving the vehicle and airbag components
- Obtaining the crash report and recall documentation
Consulting an attorney early can help ensure that evidence is not lost and that responsible parties are identified before legal deadlines expire.
Why These Cases Are Complex
Defective airbag claims are not simple car accident cases. They involve technical engineering issues, corporate records, and expert testimony. Manufacturers often argue that the crash caused the injuries, not the airbag, or that the vehicle owner failed to respond to a recall notice. Insurance companies may also attempt to minimize the role of the defect.
An experienced product liability attorney can work with experts to analyze inflator failures, review recall histories, and demonstrate how the defect directly caused the injuries. These cases require aggressive advocacy and a deep understanding of both product liability law and automotive safety standards.
Holding Manufacturers Accountable
Lawsuits involving defective airbags serve an important purpose beyond individual compensation. They expose safety failures, encourage faster recalls, and pressure manufacturers to improve testing and communication. When companies are held accountable, it helps protect other drivers from suffering similar harm.
For Florida drivers injured by recalled products, legal action can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. It also sends a message that safety shortcuts and delayed responses are unacceptable.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag or another dangerous product, the attorneys at BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm are here to help. We have experience handling complex product liability cases and will work tirelessly to hold manufacturers accountable.
Schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 876-4344 or filling out the online form. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.
Disclaimer: The information above is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and results are not guaranteed.