Airbag Injuries

Airbags are life-saving devices, but can expand with enough force to inflict bruises and break bones.

Here’s what you need to know about airbag injuries, defects, and your right to a fair recovery:

Airbags Are The Lesser Of Two Evils

Airbags save lives, but that does not mean they cannot be dangerous.

Unlike many other automotive components, airbags do not have a uniform or standard design. However, most modern vehicles extensively use electronic crash sensors, which work in tandem with the airbag control system to detect abrupt changes in speed and pressure. If a sensor is triggered, it sends a signal to the airbag control system, causing rapid inflation within a fraction of a second.

Since airbags have to work fast to provide the best protection, they must be fine-tuned and refined to provide the highest level of protection. Nevertheless, even rigorous testing cannot overcome the laws of physics. Airbags carry an inherent danger. Inflating within milliseconds, airbags can help keep you from hitting your head on the dashboard or being ejected from a vehicle. However, this same rapid inflation can pose its own risks, especially if an airbag or airbag control system is defective.

The 3 Big Risks Of An Airbag Deployment

Airbag control systems are imperfect. Even if they work exactly as intended, they still carry a significant risk of injury. If and when they fail, the risk could be much higher.

Some of the most common reasons for airbag injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Airbag sensor malfunction. If a sensor malfunctions, an airbag may inflate at the incorrect time. In some cases, the airbag may inflate for no reason, injuring drivers who were never in danger.
2. Airbag chemical reactions. Airbags inflate due to a violent chemical reaction, usually involving the oxidation of strategically placed sodium azide cartridges. Upon impact, these canisters burst, producing the nitrogen gas necessary for rapid inflation. Nitrogen gas is not dangerous, but the reactive process can generate intense heat and inflict chemical burns.
3. Airbag physics. Most modern airbags inflate with sufficient intensity to injure the occupants of a motor vehicle. These injuries are often less severe than would be sustained without an airbag control system, but they can still lead to serious physical injuries.

Even airbags in good repair can be dangerous, but defective control systems and faulty sensors can have life-altering consequences for unsuspecting drivers. Injuries can vary in severity, including cuts, lacerations, bruises, and broken bones. Some airbag injuries, particularly to the face, can cause disfiguring facial and dental injuries.

Understanding Your Rights After An Airbag Injury Accident

You do not have to pay for an airbag manufacturer’s mistake.

Depending on the circumstances of your claim and the severity of your injury, a product liability attorney could help you obtain the compensation you need to begin rebuilding your life.

One of the first steps in the personal injury lawsuit process involves identifying the proper defendant. This is often much more difficult than it may appear, because more than one party may share fault for your injuries. Potential defendants could include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The driver who hit your car;
2. The vehicle manufacturer; and
3. The airbag manufacturer.

To win an airbag injury lawsuit, you will typically need to prove that the airbag was somehow defective. This often necessitates an intense investigation and expert witness testimony.