Defective manufacturing can cause a variety of injuries in a Tampa car accident depending on the area of the vehicle and its relation to the passengers. When car manufacturers catch the problem in time, recalls can mitigate or alleviate the damage. Honda, for example, recently announced a recall that will affect owners of nearly one million vehicles worldwide. The recall will attempt to repair electrical problems and a software glitch in the vehicles.
CRV and Fit Vehicle Recall Needed to Repair Problems
Vehicles from the CRV and Fit line of Honda automobiles will need the master switch within the power window units replaced. A design flaw in the switch can cause a number of issues, including a build-up of residue in the window unit that can lead to a degradation of the electrical contacts and increase the risk of fire.
Although no injuries have been directly linked to this issue, Honda is attempting to avoid any such future problems. Over 80,000 vehicles in the United States from the 2006 CRV line are included in the worldwide recall.
Compact hybrids with manual transmissions are also included in the Honda recall. The issue in these vehicles is a software glitch. According to Honda, the motor could improperly rotate, causing the vehicle to roll backward while in a forward-propelling gear. This type of software problem affects the driving operation of the vehicle and could easily result in injury to the driver, passengers or to other vehicles because it could cause a car accident.
The proposed fix would upgrade the software and would be a voluntary recall that includes over 20,000 cars worldwide and 5,000 vehicles here in the United States.
Seatbelt Injuries Due to Defects
Seatbelt defects are another type of serious manufacturing flaw that car companies often do not catch until it is too late. If a seatbelt does not function properly in the case of an accident or crash, the driver and all of the passengers are at an increased risk of serious injury and death. Even when a seatbelt is required by law and is worn in accordance with that law, drivers may not be protected if the seatbelt has a design defect or flaw.
Seatbelt defects include:
- Release problems: Seatbelt breaks or releases during a collision, which can result in the driver or passenger being ejected out of the vehicle, usually through the windshield
- Malfunction of the seatbelt release: Seatbelt does not release when the driver or passenger is in a dangerous situation after a crash or accident; a seatbelt should release properly in the case of the vehicle being submerged in water, vehicular fire or if the vehicle is on the edge of a cliff or embankment
- Improper installation: Seatbelt has a design flaw that does not properly fit the lap or the shoulder; this type of failure can result in neck, head and organ injury in the case of a collision or crash
All types of auto defects can lead to severe injury and death.
Not all defects are caught by manufacturers and remedied through a recall. When a car manufacturer fails to properly install safety features like seatbelts, passengers are at an increased risk. If you've been injured in a car accident involving a defective seatbelt, contact a Tampa personal injury attorney.
