Airbags are so essential to traffic safety that the federal government has mandated them in all new vehicles for more than two decades. However, faulty airbags can fail to protect passengers or even increase the risks they face. New reports about airbags that ARC Automotive has manufactured indicate that they pose serious dangers to crash victims, as the airbags may violently explode and send metal fragments flying like shrapnel inside the vehicle. This phenomenon has been linked to multiple deaths, and ARC is seemingly not adhering to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s demands for a recall.
Victims of malfunctioning airbags need to understand their rights so that they can punish corporations that act without regard for public safety and receive compensation for their suffering. Automotive manufacturers have a duty to provide safe, dependable vehicles and parts, and ARC may be shirking this duty. If you’re considering an ARC airbag lawsuit or are otherwise concerned, call us at 866-778-5500 or complete our online form. From there, we’ll schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced product liability lawyers.
Airbags are an important safety measure for adults and teenagers, but improperly manufactured or installed airbags can contribute to serious injury and death. Many consumers have begun issuing concerns about ARC airbags, although ARC Automotive continues to insist that the airbags are safe despite the explosion that has occurred.
A leading theory as to the source of the problem is defective storage of ammonium nitrate, which may result in the airbag becoming over-inflated even in collisions that are relatively minor. These explosions can also cause metal components of the airbag to explode, sending shrapnel flying at the driver and passengers.
In May 2023, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration began investigating the ARC airbag issue and sent the company a series of questions. The investigation ultimately led to the NHTSA demanding that ARC recall 67 million inflators across 50 different vehicle models and 12 manufacturers. However, ongoing recalls only cover a small fraction of the hazardous airbags, such as General Motors’ recall of a million vehicles with ARC Automotive airbags.
Know your legal options.
If your car uses an ARC automotive airbag, there’s no way to know whether or not it’s faulty. Consider reaching out to a product liability lawyer with experience in airbag-related issues to decide what the right steps for you to take would be.
Individuals who were injured or lost a loved one potentially due to a defective airbag should consider a product liability lawsuit. In most cases, product liability claims operate under the legal concept of strict liability, which requires victims to show that the alleged defect contributed to the accident or its consequences. Strict liability means that a corporation is liable for negligence even when it’s not aware that it’s shipped a dangerous product.
ARC Automotive is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based manufacturing company that’s more than 70 years old. It specializes in producing airbag inflators for numerous airbag models in use by millions of vehicles. The company generates more than $330 million in annual revenue and employs more than 1,700 people.
At the law firm of Console & Associates, P.C., we’re dedicated to holding corporations accountable. If you’re considering an ARC airbag lawsuit for injuries or risks related to a potentially defective airbag, we’re here to help. Our product liability lawyers will study your case and work on how best to demonstrate that ARC is liable and provide recommendations on potential courses of legal action. Just call 866-778-5500 or fill out our online form, and we’ll arrange a consultation at no charge to you.
