Airbag Maker May Be Under Fire in Death of Canadian Driver

The rupture of an airbag in a low-speed collision in Canada last month resulted in the death of a driver. The malfunction of the airbag, manufactured by ARC Automotive, a Tennessee company, has American regulators investigating the components of the safety device as well as possible explanations for the singular fatality on record for ARC.

In past years, Takata, another manufacturer of airbags, has come under serious scrutiny after their devices resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 100 injuries, prompting the recall of millions of car airbags worldwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is leading the investigation on ARC, claims that the design of Takata’s notoriously dangerous airbags have “significant design differences” from the airbags manufactured by ARC. However, both airbags use ammonium nitrate in their inflators, a compound that breaks down over time and is highly susceptible to environmental variables.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of defective airbags, know that the manufacturers of dangerous products can be held accountable for their negligence.