Auto Manufacturing Giant Honda Fined for Not Reporting Accidents

Honda was fined for its failure to report more than 1,700 fatal or serious car accidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many question whether or not the car company put lives at risk by failing to report the accidents.

Federal Law Requires Car Manufacturers to File EWR Reports

Car manufacturers must submit early warning reports (EWRs) to the Department of Transportation. The reports must include any fatal accidents involving the manufacturer’s vehicles. Even if not required to file quarterly reports, manufacturers must report fatal accidents.

Honda, however, violated federal law when the car company failed to report 1,729 accidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over an 11-year period. Failure to report the accidents was not only a violation of federal law, but may have cost lives too.

Did Honda knowingly fail to report auto accidents?

Honda blamed the failure to report on computer and data errors, and noted the failure wasn’t intentional. Regardless of intention, the automaker will face $70 million in fines, according to media reports. Some were calling for Honda to face criminal charges as well.

Could reporting the accidents have prevented others?

Some of the serious and fatal accidents that Honda failed to report involved vehicles with defective parts, such as the Takata airbags, many of which were subject to recalls over the course of 2014. It’s hard to say whether correct reporting of the accidents would have led to a recall or would have ultimately saved lives. But it’s conceivable that without the appropriate data, the NHTSA was unable to identify circumstances warranting a recall.

Injured in a Honda because of auto safety defects?

In any case, if a defective vehicle causes an accident in which you’re involved, you may have a right to take legal action depending upon the circumstances of your case. Speak with a local attorney in Columbus to discuss the details of your car accident and whether you may have the right to take legal action.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick we work with injured victims in Columbus to help them understand their rights under the law, whether another driver caused the accident or a defective vehicle is to blame. If you’re ready to begin, dial our number today: 800-HURT-NOW. If you prefer, you can fill out the contact form on our contact page to set up your consultation.