Toyota is recalling about 7,600 2016 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in the United States due to a front passenger airbag anomaly.
In a statement released to the press, the company said that a component in the airbag might have been misassembled or improperly welded. The carmaker added that if uncorrected, the anomaly may cause stored gas to escape without any warning to the driver. It, therefore, means that the car will be moving around with a partially inflated airbag, increasing the risk of injury and likelihood of a crash.
According to Toyota, the airbag defect becomes apparent when a vehicle is parked or left unoccupied for long. The company, however, is quick to add that the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag problem is unrelated to the larger Takata airbag recall.
Toyota is currently involved in another airbag recall, the Takata airbag recall, which has affected 1.4 million cars worldwide. In this recall, Takata were the suppliers of the defective airbag. Even though the carmaker did not mention the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag supplier, they said that it was not Takata.
At the moment, no crashes, injuries or deaths associated with the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag problem have been reported. Also, no information regarding the recall is posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. The NHTSA is in charge of vehicle safety in the United States.
Toyota is the global leader in sales of hybrid electric vehicles. Its Prius family is the most sold hybrid car in the world with more than 5.7 million units bought across the world as of April 30, 2016.
Who is Affected By The Toyota Prius Airbag Recall?
Most drivers affected by the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag problem complaint about the airbag’s failure to deploying after an accident.
Narrating her experience on consumeraffairs.com, Patricia, a resident of Las Vegas says that her husband lost control while driving their 2016 Toyota Prius due to a medical condition and crossed the line of an interstate. He struck pavement, went across the opposing lane and hit a fence before screeching to a halt. Despite the impact, the airbags did not deploy, leaving her husband susceptible to serious injuries.
The complaints are the same across the board, causing serious doubts about the safety of the 2016 Toyota Prius.
If you’re affected by the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag anomaly, you can sue the company for negligence. For starters, any carmaker is responsible for damages incurred by drivers because of defects such as the ones associated with this recall. In other words, the company should have ensured that the cars are safe.
What To Do If Toyota Airbag Recalls Affected You
Toyota will replace the defective airbags in a recall that is expected to commence in November. Owners of the affected cars should wait for the recall notice and arrange a service appointment with their service dealer. They can also contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 for questions or help.
There is no class action lawsuit for the 2016 Toyota Prius airbag recall at the moment. However, drivers who have sustained injuries, or those who would like to sue the company privately can get in touch with a reputable product liability attorney for guidelines on how to initiate a claim.
Among other things, a lawyer will help collect evidence and present it in a manner that will build a strong case. He or she will also analyze the circumstances surrounding the occurrence to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to file a claim. If the claimant wins the case, the court will determine the compensation amount.
What Are You Eligible For In the Toyota Prius Recalls?
Toyota will not be offering any monetary compensation for those affected by the 2016 Toyota Prius. However, if a class action lawsuit is filed in the future, the affected persons will be compensated for losses incurred as a result of the airbag. If you were affected by the recall, keep checking the NHTSA website regularly for an update on any impending class action lawsuit, who is handling it and how to join.
You can, however, sue Toyota privately and get compensated for medical expenses, loss of companionship, lost income and other damages. The compensation amount will be based on factors such as the medical bills incurred, lost wages, and so on. Thus, the amount will differ from one case to the other.
Because of the complexity of product liability lawsuits, it is advisable to get an experienced lawyer to handle your case. Losing a product liability case can be detrimental especially if you’re not in a stable financial standing.
