Takata Corporation Faces Criminal Charges For Faulty Airbags

by | Feb 2, 2017 | Car Accidents | 0 comments

The Takata Corporation is a Japanese company responsible for producing automotive parts used around the world. Car manufacturers like Nissan, Ford, Mazda, and BMW produce vehicles that use Takata parts. In 2015, three company executives were suspended due to their involvement in covering up reports of faulty airbag inflation that led to injury and death. The airbags, which were inflated using ammonium nitrate, were allegedly exploding in certain, humid conditions. These explosions could send chemicals and shards flying at passengers who would have little way of avoiding harm. So far, 16 deaths worldwide – 11 in the United States – are linked to these exploding airbags, with at least a hundred injuries reported.

According to United States Attorney Barbara McQuade, the three executives responsible for covering these events discussed how to alter reports via e-mail. These reports were sent to their automaker clients without containing data the officials deemed inconvenient. Due to their actions, the men now face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud already committed. Japanese authorities are working with the Department of Justice to secure an extradition to the United States.

Along with the three executives, the Takata Corporation formally agreed to take responsibility for the event, pleading guilty to the wire fraud charges and paying a 1$ billion penalty. The fee will break up two ways: $975 million will be in restitution, which means the victims will be repaid by the company’s negligence. The remaining $25 million will be paid as a fine. This charge comes one year after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fined Takata $200 million for not alerting the organization of the defect.

The resulting airbag recall was considered the largest in United States history, involving over 30 million units. Takata and several automakers who withheld information from the NHTSA are now defendants within these charges, facing litigation from multiple districts that include personal injury victims and car owners who faced decreased car values from the exploding airbags.

Takata’s lawsuit is an extreme case of how negligence from an auto parts manufacturer can lead to widespread, serious injury. If you experienced harm from a car accident caused by a vehicle defect in Michigan, a personal injury lawyer can help you find the compensation you need to recover. Contact the Detroit Michigan personal injury attorney at Christopher Trainor & Associates for a consultation.

Detroit, MI – I-275 Car Accident Injures Victims at Eureka Rd

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - On Monday, November 27, two or three drivers crashed on northbound Interstate 275 in the city of Detroit, resulting in at least one injury. At around 9:30 p.m., an accident occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 275 near the...

Ingham Co, MI – Semi-Truck Collision Causes Injury on I-96 at M-52

Ingham County, MI (November 27, 2023) - Traffic on westbound I-96 at M-52 was impacted Monday morning due to a crash. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported the crash at around 8:00 a.m. on Nov. 27. Local footage captured photos of the crash, where...

Detroit, MI – Multi-Vehicle Wreck w/Injuries at 23 Mile & Hayes Rds

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - On Monday afternoon, November 27, a collision involving at least two drivers and reported injuries occurred on 23 Mile Road in the Detroit metropolitan region. The Detroit Police Department was summoned to the site shortly after the...

Lansing, MI – Wrong-Way Crash on US 127 at Barnes Under Inquiry

Lansing, MI (November 27, 2023) - U.S. Highway 127 southbound, south of Barnes Road, was closed due to a possible wrong-way accident on Monday, November 27. Multiple fire and rescue services were sent to the scene. Within minutes, deputies from Lansing had also...

Detroit, MI – Pedestrian Collision, Injuries on I-94 Near 23 Mile

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - On Monday evening, November 27, a driver in Detroit reportedly hit a pedestrian on a local highway, resulting in major injuries. The incident reportedly took place near eastbound I-94 and 23 Mile Road at around 8:40 p.m. No additional...

Detroit, MI – Injuries Occur in Car Accident on I-94 After 21 Mile

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - An accident involving at least two drivers happened on a local highway on Monday, November 27, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation, resulting in a handful of potential victim injuries. At about 8:10 p.m., EMTs,...

Detroit, MI – DUI Suspected in Injury Vehicle Wreck on I-96

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - Detroit police have released further details after a serious accident that occurred over the weekend and now believe alcohol was a factor in a crash on I-96 that hospitalized multiple people. According to authorities, the crash...

Detroit, MI – Injury-Causing Wreck on I-696 After Orchard Lake

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - On Monday evening, November 27, a multiple-vehicle crash resulted in at least one injury at the scene and closed down a local highway, according to local authorities. Several drivers were involved in a collision that shut down...

Detroit, MI – Three Hurt After Driver Crashes into Fillmore on Woodward

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - A driver crashed into The Fillmore on Monday, leaving a mess behind at the Downtown Detroit venue. Around 2:25 p.m., a woman driving an SUV hit the box office of the theater on Woodward Avenue. Though the box office was destroyed in...

Detroit, MI – M-39 Scene of Injury Accident Near Grand River

Detroit, MI (November 27, 2023) - After an accident on Monday afternoon, November 27, a local Detroit roadway was nearly completely closed. Multiple left lanes, along with the freeway ramp, of northbound Michigan Highway 39 at the Grand River exit were closed due to...