logo
Florida jury awards man $3M for defective airbag that caused serious injury during crash

Florida jury awards man $3M for defective airbag that caused serious injury during crash

Independent05-05-2025

A South Florida jury has awarded $3 million to a man who was severely injured by a defective airbag in a 2020 crash.
Miami-Dade jurors reached a verdict for Jose Hernandez on Thursday, according to court records. He had filed a lawsuit in 2022 against Takata Airbag Tort Compensation Trust Fund, which was formed during Takata's bankruptcy
Hernandez was driving his 2005 Honda Civic in Miami in December 2020 when another vehicle hit him as he tried to make a left turn, his attorneys said. The collision should have caused only minor injuries, but the car's Takata airbag inflator improperly exploded, shooting a piece of metal shrapnel several inches long into Hernandez's right arm, the lawsuit said.
Attorneys for the Takata trust didn't immediately respond to an email Monday seeking comment.
At least 28 deaths have been linked to Takata air bag inflators in the U.S. and at least 36 worldwide, according to regulators. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt. Large-scale recalls began in 2013.
Takata used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time due to high heat and humidity and explode with too much force. That can blow apart a metal canister and send shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Violence erupts over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with supporter arrested for smashing car with Pride flag
Violence erupts over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with supporter arrested for smashing car with Pride flag

Scottish Sun

time5 days ago

  • Scottish Sun

Violence erupts over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with supporter arrested for smashing car with Pride flag

TRANS FURY Violence erupts over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with supporter arrested for smashing car with Pride flag Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VIOLENT protests have erupted in California after a trans athlete served a crushing defeat to two female competitors at a sporting event. Trans teen AB Hernandez, 16, came first in the women's long jump and triple jump at the event in California - a defiance of Trump's executive order to ban trans athletes from women's sports. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Demonstrators hold signs outside the Veteran's Memorial Stadium during the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, California Credit: AP 3 A banner reading 'NO BOYS IN GIRLS' SPORTS!' is flown above Veterans' Memorial Stadium during the California high school track-and-field championships Credit: AP 3 AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley poses with a medal after winning the girls' long jump Credit: AP She also finished fourth in the high jump at the Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Masters Meet, missing out on a championship place in that event by one spot. But a crowd of angry parents confronted her mother at the event to complain that a trans girl was competing against their daughters. It has now turned into a heated row with dozens of protestors carrying out demonstrations to 'save girls sports". The protests quickly turned violent after one person was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Clovis police Sgt. Chris Hutchison told the Chronicle. Hre said the person is accused of using the base of a Pride flag to smash a car window, leaving a person injured. More protestors are expected to show up today as the sporting event continues. Yesterday, a crowd of furious high school parents berated the mother of the trans athlete after her dominant victory. The video, which has now gone viral on TikTok, shows the parents hounding Hernandez's mother for allowing her to compete. One of the parents can be heard yelling at her mother: "What a coward of a woman you are allowing that." Hernandez's story previously made headlines after another teenage girl that she beat to first place in a separate contest waited for her to descend from the podium before moving to pose in the top spot. In the TikTok, the parent can also be heard shouting: "Your mental illness is on your son, coward." But more than half of US states have implemented bans on trans youth athletes participating since 2020. In an Instagram post, Hernandez's mother said: "It takes immense bravery to show up, compete, and be visible in a world that often questions your very right to exist, let alone to participate." Hernandez's case was thrust into national attention after Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from California over her sporting participation. Her successes prompted the California Interscholastic Federation to change its rules to allow "biological female" student athletes who would have made the qualifying mark without a trans contestant in the race to compete in the finals. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom's office called the proposed pilot "reasonable". California state law allows the participation of trans women and girls in women's sports. Trump posted on Truth Social: "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to." His message refers to an Executive Order from February titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports". In an interview with Capital & Main, Hernandez, from Jurupa Valley, California, said: "There's nothing I can do about people's actions, just focus on my own. "I'm still a child. You're an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person." She faced heckling and protesters in the crowd at a track meet earlier this month and was accompanied by campus security and Sheriff's Department deputies, CNN has reported. "Girls were just shocked that people would actually come to do that, and really bully a child," she said. "I've trained so hard. I mean, hours of conditioning every day, five days a week. "Every day since November, three hours after school. And then all of summer, no summer break for me." Her mother added that those who have "doxed, harassed and violated my daughter AB's privacy" have created a "hostile and unsafe environment for a minor".

JAILED: Powys danger driver killed pensioner in Middletown
JAILED: Powys danger driver killed pensioner in Middletown

Powys County Times

time22-05-2025

  • Powys County Times

JAILED: Powys danger driver killed pensioner in Middletown

A man who killed an 87-year-old woman while overtaking a bus by crossing double white lines on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road has been jailed for three years. Margaret Lee suffered "catastrophic" injuries in the incident which she had "absolutely no chance to avoid" on the A458 in Middletown, near Welshpool on November 27, 2023. Honda Civic driver Matthew Parrott, 42, from Kerry, near Newtown, was jailed at Mold Crown Court on Thursday (May 22) and banned from driving for six-and-a-half years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. Mrs Lee's family said they find it "so difficult to comprehend" how her life ended in "such a sudden and cruel way". The 87-year-old had been driving from her home in Middletown towards Welshpool to collect newspapers for herself and her neighbours. Shortly after 7.30am, a Honda Civic driven by Parrott, which was travelling in the opposite direction towards Shrewsbury, overtook a bus by crossing double white lines, slamming straight into Mrs Lee's red Ford Fiesta. The court was told that the 50mph stretch of road warns drivers of hidden dips and to drive slowly for around 600 yards. Barrister Mr Parry said the impact between both vehicles was "substantial" but Parrott was able to get out of his car while Margaret Lee was found unresponsive. Defending barrister Dafydd Roberts said Parrott was "genuinely remorseful" and fully understood that "only one sentence could be passed today which is immediate imprisonment". Mr Roberts continued: "He is struggling to come to terms with his actions which have resulted in the death of Margaret Lee. "People who know him speak of a man in glowing terms. Someone who is very well thought of within work and successful in his career. He has clearly assisted many others in many ways and provided a great deal of assistance to his mother following the death of his father. "He is someone who will never be before the court again. He will have learnt his error and mistake. "He wanted to apologise directly to Margaret's family. That has been rejected at this stage understandably and he respects that. He would wish to engage in some form of restorative justice." Judge Timothy Petts told the court that "no sentence can properly reflect the life that has been lost". "It's clear Margaret was a well-loved member of the family and the last of her generation following the death of her brother, sister-in-law and partner Frank," the judge said. "Having lived most of her life in Wigan, she made a new circle of friends in Powys. Despite her age she was independent and in good health. "What happened that day was a tragic calamity for her friends and family. Her death was sudden, unexpected and unnecessary. Margaret's death has had a huge impact on the family. "Every road traffic collision involves real human tragedies." The judge added: "We've seen the CCTV footage of the collision; you pulled out on double white lines overtaking a bus without full visibility because of the hidden dips that were there for some time. "It is clear that Margaret Lee had absolutely no chance to avoid what happened. There was no need to overtake. It was clearly unsafe to do so. "It's only fair to you to say that the driver behind your vehicle said they had no previous issues with your driving that morning. "It was clearly a dangerous manoeuvre although in a matter of seconds. "You did not set out that morning to drive dangerously let alone kill anyone."

Avoid these expensive mistakes when buying your first car, says motoring expert
Avoid these expensive mistakes when buying your first car, says motoring expert

Scotsman

time22-05-2025

  • Scotsman

Avoid these expensive mistakes when buying your first car, says motoring expert

Searches for 'new cars for new drivers' have risen by 26% over the past three months, and with the growing interest, experts have shared how to get the best deal possible. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Experts are sharing top tips for first-car buyers to avoid overspending on new cars. This comes as Vertu have noticed that searches for 'new cars for new drivers' have risen by 26% over the past three months. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While new cars offer the appeal of modern features and warranties, they also come with different financial considerations that buyers should be aware of. Searches for 'new cars for new drivers' have risen by 26% over the past three months So, to help first-time buyers navigate the process without overspending, automotive experts at Vertu have shared guidance on common financial missteps to avoid. 1. Don't focus solely on the sticker price It's easy to be distracted by the sticker price, but running costs are just as important. Creating a full budget that includes not only the monthly payment but also fuel, insurance, road tax, and maintenance will give you a clearer idea of what you can afford in the long run. 2. Understand depreciation Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When considering a new car, think beyond the immediate appeal of a brand-new model and consider its long-term value. This is particularly important if you expect to need to upsize your car in the future. There are a few factors that affect how in-demand your car will be when the time comes to sell it on the used-car market. Cars from trusted brands with strong resale demand, such as the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, or Honda Civic, typically depreciate more slowly. This is also true for cars with a higher fuel economy, that are cheaper to maintain, are ULEZ compliant, and that have high safety ratings. 3. Be cautious with long finance terms Longer finance terms can make monthly payments more affordable and allow for a wider range of cars to choose from. However, some terms can result in you paying far more than the car is worth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You should stick to a loan term that you can comfortably manage. Generally speaking, the shorter the term, the less interest you'll pay overall. And don't forget, there are plenty of options available, so you take time to research and understand what the best types of car finance are available to you. 4. Avoid rushing the process First-time buyers are often eager to get behind the wheel, but slowing things down can lead to better results. That's why it's worth visiting a few different showrooms, comparing features that matter to you, and asking questions about what's included in the price. It's important to take a few days to think things over before signing anything, which helps avoid unexpected costs and ensures the car is the right fit for their lifestyle. 5. Take advantage of manufacturer incentives New car buyers can benefit from special manufacturer incentives, such as cashback offers, 0% finance deals, or trade-in bonuses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You should research any available deals before visiting a dealership as there may be seasonal promotions that can save you money. Don't hesitate to ask about potential deals or discounts, as you may be able to negotiate a better price based on these incentives.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store