A detailed investigative report released by a group called Safety Research & Strategies, concludes that Enterprise Rent-A-Car rented and sold cars without the side curtain air bags they originally came with raising serious auto products liability issues. According to the group’s report, Enterprise ordered 66,000 Chevrolet Impalas and Cobalts, but got them without installing the side curtain airbags to save money. Enterprise then made the situation worse by reselling some of these 2006, 2007 and 2008 Impalas and the 2008 and 2009 model Cobalts to used car buyers who had no clue that these side airbags had been removed. In fact, Enterprise’s Web site had claimed in its advertisements that these cars came with the side curtain airbags.

A Serious Auto Product Safety Issue

Enterprise is reported to be the nation’s largest private buyer of new cars and seller of used vehicles. The company apparently saved $175 per car by not having the side airbags installed, a total of $11.5 million. Enterprise officials are defending their decision to take out the side airbags by saying that they have not violated any federal laws. But the company has admitted that it misled consumers with its online advertising and has sent out letter to 745 consumers who bought the mislabeled used cars.

This is deeply disturbing and puts consumers–not only those who bought these cars but also those who rented them–in great danger. In the event of a car accident, the occupants of these vehicles are missing an important safety feature. According to Safety Research & Strategies, side impact crashes are the second most frequent type and cause serious traumatic brain injury. Almost 4,000 cars were involved in fatal side-impact car accidents in the year 2007. The “broadside crashes” that we see routinely at street intersection is an example of a side-impact crash, which has the potential to cause catastrophic injury and death.

Side Curtain Airbags Protect from Head Injury

According to Consumer Reports, crash tests show that head-protecting side airbags are particularly important in sedans, which are vulnerable in side crashes involving SUVs or pickup trucks. Side airbags primarily protect the torso and side curtain airbags protect the head and should be federal mandated in all vehicles.

Enterprise could be held liable for any car accident injuries caused by the absence of these side curtain airbags. Victims and their families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who can explain their legal rights and options. In such cases, victims may be eligible to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of long-term care and other related expenses.