In a consumer dispute issue, popular car manufacturer BMW was asked to pay a compensation of Rs.1.25 lakhs to a customer in Hyderabad.
Getting into details, Shriram Shimha Teja, a resident of Hyderabad, is the CEO of Cyber Hat Solutions. On March 1st, 2022, his BMW 3 Series GT with AT BSIV met with an accident in Tanjavur Taluk of Tamil Nadu.
The windshield was damaged in the accident and as the airbags were not deployed, glass pieces of the windshield pierced the bodies of two passengers who were sitting on the front side.
When questioned about the non-deployment of airbags, BMW defended itself by saying the minimum threshold limit required for the deployment of airbags was not reached during the accident.
The company further stated that the seat belts offered ample protection for passengers’ safety in the event of an accident, stressing that there was no need for airbags.
The consumer later filed a complaint at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad. Following a thorough examination of the case, the commission ordered BMW India to compensate Rs. 1 lakh for mental anguish and Rs. 25,000 for expenses.
The commission delivered its verdict utilizing the principle of Res Ipsa Loquitur (Latin sentence for “the thing speaks for itself”), attributing the manufacturer’s liability for the airbag system defect based on the accident’s circumstances.
