Daimler Recalls 1 Million Mercedes-Benz Vehicles for Airbag Defects
Daimler Recalls 1 Million Mercedes-Benz Vehicles for Airbag Defects
Daimler AG is recalling more than 1 million Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs worldwide – nearly 500,000 of those in the United States – to address potential issues with unintended airbag deployments. According to a news report on Autoblog.com, the safety recall covers 495,000 vehicles in the U.S., 400,000 in Britain, 76,000 in Canada and a few hundred thousand in Germany. The company stated that an electrostatic discharge, coupled with a broken clock spring and insufficient grounding of steering components, could lead to an inadvertent deployment of the driver-side front airbag in vehicles that are subject to the recall.
When the recall begins, dealers will add new grounding to the steering components. A Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman in the United States said there have been a handful of instances where drivers suffered minor abrasions or bruises. No deaths have been reported so far, and the issue is not related to the massive recall of Takata airbag inflators worldwide. The recall covers some 2012-2018 model years A, B, C, and E-Class models and CLA, GLA and GLC vehicles.
Sudden Airbag Deployment
While we count on airbags to provide lifesaving protection in the event of a car accident, there are times when sudden or unintended airbag deployment can cause significant injuries. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), accidental or inadvertent airbag deployment and the associated release of hot gases can result both in thermal and mechanical injuries.
The more commonly reported injuries include facial injuries such as jaw fractures and dislocations, dental injuries and injuries involving facial nerves. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that hundreds of people have died from airbag injuries and thousands have been injured.
Product Liability Issues
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that the devices are safe for consumers who use them. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of inadvertent airbag deployment, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the automaker and/or the company that manufactured the defective airbag. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, permanent injuries, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.
