Common Questions About Airbag Injuries and Legal Options
Common Questions About Airbag Injuries and Legal Options
Car accidents can be overwhelming enough on their own, and things get even more complicated when the very safety features meant to protect you cause harm. Although designed to cushion the impact during a crash, an airbag can deploy with explosive force and sometimes lead to serious injuries.
If you have found yourself struggling to recover physically, emotionally, or financially after an airbag injury, you are not alone. Many accident victims have questions about what comes next, both medically and legally. Let us walk through some of the most common ones in a straightforward way.
Table of contents
Why Do Airbag Injuries Happen?
Airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. While that speed is necessary to protect drivers and passengers in a crash, it also poses a potential risk of harm. Injuries can occur if:
- The airbag deploys too forcefully for the person’s size or position.
- There is a manufacturing or design defect in the airbag.
- A sensor or inflator malfunctions, causing premature or delayed deployment.
- A recalled or poorly repaired airbag fails to work as intended.
Even when everything works properly, the speed and force can still cause burns, bruises, or fractures.
What Types of Injuries Are Common?
Some of the most frequent airbag-related injuries include:
- Head and facial injuries like concussions, broken noses, dental damage, and eye trauma.
- Chest and upper body injuries like broken ribs, sternum fractures, or cardiac issues caused by impact.
- Neck and spine injuries, such as whiplash or spinal cord strain.
- Hearing loss or burns caused by the chemicals and noise during deployment.
Children, smaller adults, and people sitting very close to the steering wheel are often at greater risk of severe injuries.
Who Could Be Legally Responsible?
Liability is not always straightforward. Depending on the facts of your accident, several parties could be at fault:
- Vehicle manufacturers, if the airbag system was defectively designed or installed.
- Airbag manufacturers, if the product itself was faulty.
- Repair shops or mechanics, if improper service affected the system.
- Other drivers whose negligence caused the crash that triggered the deployment.
In widely publicized cases, such as the Takata airbag recall, lawsuits have held manufacturers accountable for producing dangerously defective airbags that have caused severe injuries and even deaths.
What Legal Options Do I Have?
Victims of airbag injuries generally have two main legal avenues:
- Product liability claims against the manufacturer or automaker if the injury was caused by a defect.
- Negligence claims if another driver or a party’s careless actions led to the accident.
A personal injury lawyer can investigate the details of your case, gather expert testimony, and help determine which claim, or combination of claims, applies.
What Compensation Is Available?
If your case is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or PTSD from the crash
- Property damage to your vehicle
The exact amount depends on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your daily life.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
Technically, you can try to handle a claim on your own. But airbag injury cases often involve large corporations, insurance companies, and complex product liability laws. Having a lawyer means you will have someone experienced in investigating defects, negotiating with insurers, and, if needed, taking your case to court. Their role is to fight for fair compensation while you focus on healing.
Conclusion
- Airbags save lives, but they are not without risks.
- When something goes wrong, the injuries can be painful, costly, and life-changing.
- If you are dealing with an airbag-related accident, now you know that you have legal rights and options.
- By learning more about why these injuries happen, who might be responsible, and what compensation you may be entitled to, you will be better prepared to make informed decisions about your recovery and future.
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