NHTSA Announces Extensive Recall of Toyota Vehicles due to Air Bag Defect

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of 495,470 Toyota Motor North America, Inc. vehicles due to a driver’s side airbag defect. This recall affects model years 2005-2009 Tacoma vehicles manufactured from September 14, 2004 through August 29, 2008.  

The Defect

The clockspring assembly, which powers the driver’s side airbag module, may become damaged over time by steering wheel vibration. If it becomes damaged, the airbag warning light will illuminate and the airbag may become deactivated. This could result in the airbag’s failure to deploy in an accident, increasing the risk of serious injury to the driver.

Airbags are important safety features, but when they do not function properly they can pose significant risks to vehicle occupants. In most cases of defective airbags, malfunctions cause the airbag to either deploy inadvertently, which can cause injury on its own, or not at all.

Remedy

The recall is expected to begin in April 2012. Toyota will notify Tacoma owners and dealers will replace the defective clockspring assembly for free. For additional information, owners can contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

Holding Negligent Auto Manufacturers Liable

It is an auto manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicles they produce are safe and in proper working order. If their negligent manufacturing or poor design causes a hazardous defect, then they may be held liable for any injuries that result.

If you have been injured by a defective car or car component, the experienced Boston auto product liability lawyers with the Kiley Law Group can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.

March Brings Snowstorm to Merrimack Valley

It is almost spring, but nature has other plans for Massachusetts. The start of March brought a snowstorm to the Merrimack Valley and surrounding areas with about five to six inches of snow, according to The Eagle Tribune. Methuen and Haverhill schools had to close and city workers were on roads salting, sanding, and plowing for hours on end. Police also reported several auto accidents caused by the last minute winter snowfall.

Driving in the Snow

Some schools may have been closed but others remained open, requiring that parents still drive their kids to school. Also, people still had to drive to work. When snow falls, it creates a lot of activity on the road, especially on main streets and highways where city employees head first for plowing and treating with salt and/or sand.

You never know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve as the seasons are about to change, which means you always need to be ready for anything. Here are a few safety reminders about driving in the snow for the last days of winter:

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• Slow down and increase your following distance; rear-end collisions are common on icy roads because drivers don’t leave extra stopping room.


• Brake gently; slamming the brakes can cause skidding.
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• Turn your headlights on.


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• Make sure your windows are clean, inside and out; treating them with a water-repelling/shedding material is also a good idea.


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• Do not pass sand trucks or snow plows; they have limited visibility, and the road in front of them is most likely worse than behind.


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• Be prepared for “black ice;” It is difficult to see, but if you notice a slick-looking or glaring section of the road, expect that it is icy.


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• Be careful not to over-steer; turning the wheel too much can cause the car to slide.

Contacting a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer

Most drivers take driving in snow and ice very seriously. They follow every possible safety measure to ensure that they not only stay in one piece themselves but also keep other motorists safe as well. Unfortunately, there are those who do not take the proper safety precautions on icy roads.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter car accident due to another driver’s negligent or reckless operation of their vehicle in snow or otherwise inclement weather, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. The experienced car accident attorneys in Boston at the Kiley Law Group are committed to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients and can help you get the support you need while you recover from your injuries.

To learn more about your legal rights and options, do not hesitate to call us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.