2019 Subaru Forester Airbag Malfunction
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating reported airbag malfunctions of the Subaru Forester. The agency is reported to have received multiple complaints about the automobile’s airbag sensors. As of August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration allegedly received a total of 51 complaints.
The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation is currently inspecting approximately 554,000 Subaru Forester models from the years 2016 to 2018. Some owners of these vehicles have complained that the occupant detection system has failed to turn on front-passenger airbags when the seat is being occupied.
Presently, we know of no reports of vehicle fires, injuries, or deaths involving the alleged system malfunction. However, it is not clear if the automaker has received reports made directly to them. In spite of the lack of injury reports, if an airbag malfunctions in the event of a vehicle accident, there is a serious risk of injury, or even death.
Defective Airbags Could Actionable
Even when an airbag works properly, it can cause serious injuries when deployed. Children and small adults are the most susceptible to injuries when they are sitting close to the airbag at the time of deployment. While there are numerous reasons behind a product malfunction, the following conditions will reflect a defective airbag:
Deployment Malfunctions – A well working airbag is a vital part of an automobile’s restraint system. Airbags that fail to deploy, or deploy prematurely or inappropriately, could mean that the driver or passenger could suffer very serious preventable injuries.
Unnecessary Deployment – An airbag should not deploy when in minor auto accidents, with impacts under certain speeds. When this happens, the airbag malfunction can cause serious injuries instead of preventing them.
Airbags That Are Too Full/Too Big/Too Close – Airbags that inflate too much can violently impact a person, which could cause serious head trauma, brain damage and other lifelong consequences.
Airbags That Are Underinflated – Inadequately designed and/or assembled airbags will not be able to inflate properly in a car accident. Underinflated airbags fail to protect people from injury.
Incorrect Airbag Positioning – Airbags typically inflate at extremely fast rates. When the airbag is not positioned correctly, it can cause severe bodily trauma.
If an Airbag Malfunction Has Caused Injury, Get the Legal Support You Deserve
Automobile airbags exist to help save the lives of people in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, a product malfunction can cause serious injuries, and even death. Injuries resulting from defective airbags can have long-term consequences and could easily result in expensive medical costs and treatments, permanent scarring, impairments, brain damage, broken bones, and death.
If you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury because of a defective airbag, there may be an opportunity to seek financial restitution by filing a claim. A claim can hold the automaker, auto designer, or product manufacturer accountable for the injuries. Consider speaking to a knowledgeable products liability attorney who can assist you file the claim right away!
The attorneys at Heiting & Irwin have many years of experience assisting victims of product malfunctions obtain the financial restitution they deserve. Products liability claims in the State of California are time restricted; after a defective airbag has caused you serious injury, get the legal support of a qualified attorney immediately.
