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Missing Airbags in Used Cars Poses Risks to Drivers

Most airbag deployment failures in fatal accidents are not the result of manufacturer defect or negligence, but missing airbags that were never replaced after a previous accident.  That information comes from statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2008, which found that motorists in California and around the country, who are driving used vehicles, may be at risk from injuries from missing airbags.

According to the 2008 data, there were approximately 51 fatal accidents a year across the country over a period of five years, in which the fatality could be traced to missing airbags.  There’s no doubt that those are not exactly impressive numbers.  However, given the popularity of used vehicles, especially in a depressed economy, Los Angeles car accident attorneys would find it worthwhile to study how many such vehicles are on the roads today with missing airbags.

There may be an underestimated number of US vehicles out there that have no airbags.  Many used cars have been put on sale after being involved in accidents, and the airbags in many of these cars were never replaced.  The worst part is that the motorists driving these cars may not be aware that their vehicle does not come with an important safety feature that could possibly save their life in an accident.

A report by the Los Angeles Times reveals that many car repair shops are charging for the replacement of airbags, but are not completing the job.  In 2009, a couple, whose son was killed in a truck accident from airbag injuries, was awarded $15 million by a jury.  The pickup truck had been purchased as a salvage vehicle, and the couple had paid to have the airbags in the car replaced.  Instead, the airbags had been stuffed with paper.  An investigation by National Public Radio in 2008 found that there were several other cases in which airbag systems in used cars had simply been stuffed with paper and other material.  In other cases, the airbag systems had been left empty.

Far too many American consumers are not aware that when they buy a used car, they should have the airbag systems checked by a qualified car mechanic.  Many motorists fail to do so, and buy a used vehicle, not knowing that it lacks an important safety feature.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has simply failed to look into the numbers of airbags that are missing from used vehicles.  There are simply no statistics available about how many motorists are driving used vehicles with no airbags.

Lawmakers have been paying some attention to the issue of missing airbags in used vehicles.  Earlier this year, State Sen. Leland Yee, Democrat-San Francisco, introduced a bill that would make airbag fraud a crime.  Violators would be punished with a $5,000 fine, a one-year sentence in prison or a combination of both.  Repair shops that fail to install these systems would be held to account.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of missing airbags in used cars. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire to discuss a personal injury matter,  you can reach us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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