You probably remember hearing a lot about Takata airbags in the news not too long ago. The faulty airbag inflators would ignite, causing the metal housing to explode and shoot shrapnel into the vehicle’s cab. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been at least 23 deaths and 300 injuries worldwide.
Earlier this year, a bankruptcy judge approved a plan between Takata and its creditors to establish a $125 million Individual Restitution Fund (IRF)—something automakers agreed to make further contributions to. Additionally, Takata set up a Takata Airbag Tort Compensation Trust Fund (TATCTF)—also meant to compensate those injured or killed by the defective airbags.
How do I make a claim?
In order to make a claim on either fund, however, there are some deadlines coming up. If you want to file a “Current Claim” against Takata, you only have until Friday, Aug. 31 to do so, and your injuries must have occurred before April 10 of this year.
If your injuries occurred after April 10, or if you file anytime past Aug. 31, you can still make a claim, it will just be considered a “Future Claim.” Current and Future claims will likely be compensated similarly, but since the volume of claims is unknown, there’s no guarantee that the claims will be paid out equally.
Essentially, it’s not a bad idea to file before that Aug. 31 deadline if you were injured prior to April 10 and you have your documentation in order. But if you can’t make that deadline, or if your injuries were more recent, the funds have been set up with the expectation claims will continue to come in for several years.
Do I need an Atlanta car accident attorney?
Between multiple funds, class action suits and bankruptcy proceedings, the Takata restitution can seem incredibly complex, but there are a few key points to keep in mind:
- If you were injured by shrapnel during a car crash, speak to a personal injury attorney in Decatur, GA. Airbags can sometimes cause injuries even when they deploy normally, but to qualify for a Takata settlement, you’ll have to show that you were injured by the rupture or “aggressive deployment” of your Takata inflator.
- If you’re confused about the many types of claims you can file, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you decide which is the best fit, and which has the highest chances of recovery.
Most importantly, check your car for recalls if you haven’t already. There are still faulty Takata airbags on the road, and they could be in your car. Know your VIN or the make, model and year of your vehicle to determine whether you need an immediate replacement.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyer today
If you’ve been injured by a faulty airbag, or even if you believe you may have been, you need a Druid Hills car accident lawyer. At Litner + Deganian, we understand the complexities of crashes involving recalls or faulty parts. Contact us today for a free consultation.
