ZF-TRW AIRBAG INJURY LAWSUIT LAWYER

NATIONAL AIRBAG, PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW FIRM FOR WRONGFUL DEATH & PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

When you are involved in a car accident, your frontal airbags deploy out of the dashboard at speeds that can exceed 200 mph.  While there can be no dispute that airbags are a necessary vehicle safety feature, they also can cause serious or even the death of drivers and passengers when they do not function as designed.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently expanded its investigation into vehicles outfitted with ZF-TRW airbags that have failed to deploy in accidents.  The alleged defective airbags might be linked to as many as eight deaths according to the agency.

The vehicles that are currently the subject of the investigation were manufactured by Kia, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Honda from 2010 through 2019.  The NHTSA reports that the probe of ZF-TRW airbag control units currently includes 12.3 million vehicles.  When airbags fail to deploy during crashes, the results can be severe life-altering injuries or even fatalities.  If you or a loved one has been injured or a family member was killed after an airbag failed to inflate during an accident, you might have a right to pursue a defective product claim to obtain compensation for injuries and other losses.

Call Jason Turchin for a free consultation regarding your legal rights following an accident where an airbag failed to deploy at (800) 510-0750.

How Airbags Are Designed to Function in a Collision

While each airbag system might have certain distinct features that differentiate it from other airbag systems, front seat airbags are in the steering wheel for the driver and a panel behind the dashboard for the passenger.  The NHTSA made dual front airbags mandatory in 1998.  Airbag deployment is triggered by crash sensors in the event of a collision of enough severity, which usually means a crash of at least 8 to 10 mph head-on or near head-on.  The sensor sends a signal to the airbag controller, which causes an ignitor to produce a gas to fill the airbag.  The high velocity of the deployment leads to the airbags filling in about 1/20^thof a second.

Why ZF TRW Airbags Fail to Deploy

Based on documents produced during the NHTSA investigation, ZF-TRW airbags might not inflate because their control units can be disabled or fail in a crash potentially due to rogue electrical signals.  The suspected cause of the airbag failures might be in the application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that monitors signals from the airbag system’s crash sensors. The NHTSA has indicated that electrical signals caused by a collision can overstress the integrated circuits. When this happens, the control units might fail to trigger airbag deployment.

Vehicles Equipped with ZF TRW Airbag Control Units

The investigation includes certain models manufactured by Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler, Honda, and Mitsubishi from 2010 to 2019.

Government Actions and Recalls Related to ZF TRW Airbags

The NHTSA upgraded its investigation on April 19, 2019, from a “preliminary evaluation” to an “engineering analysis”, which means the probe is moving closer to a recall. As of mid-June 2019, Kia, Hyundai, and Fiat Chrysler were the only automakers to have announced recalls of vehicles equipped with the ZFTRW controller units.  Hyundai and Kia recalled almost 1.1 million vehicles in 2018 because of the nondeployment of airbags believed to be linked t ZF-TRW controllers.

Fatalities Linked to ZF-TRW Airbag Systems

As of June 18, 2019, The NHTSA had received reports of eight deaths involving vehicles equipped with ZF-TRW controllers.  Four of the fatalities in vehicles where the frontal airbags did not deploy were in vehicles manufactured by the affiliated companies Hyundai and Kia while three others involved Fiat Chrysler vehicles.  Two recent serious crashes in which the airbags did not deploy, which included a fatal accident, involved 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas.

Despite similarities to the Takata exploding airbag recall, which also involved multiple vehicle manufacturers buying a critical safety device from a single company, this investigation and recall are unrelated.  However, our law firm also handles defective Takata airbag claims that involve airbags that can malfunction and propel shrapnel at vehicle occupants.

Types of Defective Airbag Injuries

When faulty airbags fail to deploy, vehicle occupants can experience severe injuries that include:

• Fractured/Broken Arms, Hands, and Wrists
• Head and Neck Trauma
• Brain Injuries and Skull Fractures
• Abdomen and Chest Trauma
• Rib Fractures
• Spinal Damage
• Eye Injuries/Blindness
• Broken Jaws
• Broken Necks
• Facial Abrasions
• Respiratory Injuries
• Death

Speak to an Experienced Airbag Defect Lawyer Today!

Jason Turchin’s experience, reputation, and expertise in defective vehicle cases have garnered notable reviews, awards, and honors.  Examples include the following:

• Many 5-star ratings from other attorneys (Martindale.com)
• Listing on Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Many 5-star ratings from former clients on websites like Martindale.com, AVVO, and Birdeye.com
• Perfect 10.0 rating by AVVO (service rating all attorneys in the U.S.)
• Highest “AV Rating” by Martindale-Hubbell
• Recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star”

Jason Turchin, Esq. has offered legal commentary on media programs and provided information to media sources throughout the U.S.  Our national product liability law firm has successfully represented multiple victims of defective airbags and other vehicle defects. Jason adheres to the view that personal injury attorneys should provide clients with the highest quality legal services, timely updates, promptly returned phone calls, and diligent efforts to obtain the best outcome for clients.  Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery.

Free ZF-TRW Airbag Injury Claim Review – Call (800) 510-0750

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin offers a free case evaluation to victims of defective vehicles and faulty airbags, so call our national product liability law firm today at (800) 510-0750 to learn how we can help.