Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Discuss NHTSA Changes Following Defective Auto Deaths

Mark Rosekind has been appointed the new head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).   Rosekind took the job aware of the fact that the NHTSA was understaffed, lacking funds, and not operating effectively. The NHTSA received 45,000 safety complaints in 2013 and 75,000 in 2014; however, the agency employs only nine people to review complaints and only sixteen to investigate potential safety problems.  Rosekind plans to improve motor vehicle safety by revamping the NHTSA to improve the efficacy of the organization.  His solutions to the NHTSA’s problems include more personnel, increased funding, and better procedures and innovation.

Recently the NHTSA failed to act on General Motors’ defective ignition switches and Takata’s exploding airbags until after car accident fatalities had occurred.  To prevent this from happening again, Rosekind plans to take a more proactive approach to address safety problems before they cause fatal injuries.  He has notified the Office of Defects Investigations of the need for improvements to including more staff, better technology, and a clear authority to handle such situations.  The NHTSA is also in support of raising the maximum fine for automakers that knowingly conceal safety problems from $35 million to $300 million.

The new leader of the NHTSA is also looking into the possibility of imposing fines or taking legal action against the Japanese airbag manufacturer, Takata, for refusing to issue a nationwide recall of their exploding driver side airbags.  Five automakers whose cars contained the defective airbags issued their own nationwide recalls.  Rosekind has said that the investigation is ongoing, and once the NHTSA has all the information appropriate action will be taken against Takata.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger Represent Victims of Accidents Caused by Defective Products

Defective automobiles can cause serious injury and death.  If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for your injuries or loss.  Philadelphia products liability lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP have been successfully representing victims of car accidents and dangerous defective products since 1947.  Philadelphia personal injury law firm of Galfand Berger serves clients throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Our personal injury law offices are located in Philadelphia, Reading, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Contact us online or call 1-800-222-8792 to schedule a free consultation.