Dangers Of Airbags In A Car Accident
Airbags are designed to protect your body and prevent injuries in car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags saved 50,457 lives between 1987 to 2017.
While airbags save countless lives every year, the dangers of airbags can often cause additional injuries in a car accident. Additionally, faulty airbags can also cause injuries and even fatalities in car crashes. Data from the NHTSA shows that children are at particular risk of suffering injuries and deaths from airbags.
If you or a loved one suffered airbag injuries in a car crash, you could potentially have legal recourse against a negligent driver, car manufacturer, or airbag manufacturer. Contact The Mark Casto Law Firm today and speak to us for free to find out whether you have a case: 706-450-7071.
How Does an Airbag Deploy in a Car Accident?
Airbags can be located in various areas throughout a vehicle, including in the steering wheel, the passenger-side dashboard, and the car’s doors. Airbags typically inflate when the car’s crash sensor detects a collision. The airbag should then fill up with gas and deploy for the protection of any car occupants. It is important to note that airbags are generally designed to deploy only in moderate to severe accidents.
Since they inflate at a rapid speed, the dangers of airbags include the possibility of serious or even fatal injuries with deployment. Moreover, once the airbag deflates, the gases and chemicals inside will be released, which can cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
How Do Injuries From Airbags Happen?
Airbag injuries can happen due to a defective airbag or crash sensor. Examples of this include:
- The crash sensor fails to activate the airbags in a crash
- Airbags deploying randomly in non-accident situations
- The airbag deploys too late
- The chemicals and gasses from the airbag cause injuries
An airbag deploying after a crash can cause devastating injuries. The closer an individual’s body is to the airbag, the more likely the victim may suffer serious or debilitating injuries.
Common Injuries from Airbags
Airbags are designed to protect the occupants of a vehicle during a car crash. However, defective airbags can potentially result in severe bodily harm and even death. Some of the most common airbag injuries that accident victims can experience include:
Brain Injuries
The head is the most vulnerable body part in a car accident and can get violently jolted back and forth during impact. The head and particularly the face will bear the brunt of an inflated airbag. This can result in injuries such as brain swelling, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent damage.
Eye and Dental Injuries
Since the face is taking the majority of the impact from an airbag in a crash, car occupants can potentially suffer from a range of facial injuries, including but not limited to:
- Bleeding in or behind the eyes
- Contusions in the face and eye region
- Corneal abrasions
- Eye injuries from broken glasses
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
Fractures
An airbag deploys at approximately 200 miles an hour. Facial, wrist, arm, and other fractures can occur due to the deployment of an airbag.
Internal Injuries
Airbags and seatbelts can potentially cause internal injuries and bleeding, including a life-threatening aortic dissection. An aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta that can prove fatal unless rapidly diagnosed and treated. Airbags can also cause other internal injuries, such as internal organ damage.
This list of injuries is not exhaustive. Faulty or unnecessarily deployed airbags can cause a range of other conditions such as spinal injuries, lacerations, and more. If you suffered an injury in a car accident, contact the experienced car accident attorneys at The Mark Casto Law Firm for legal advice and guidance today.
Do I Have Legal Recourse with an Airbag Injury?
If an airbag caused or contributed to your injuries in a car accident, you could potentially have legal recourse against several defendants. Depending on the facts of the accident, victims could potentially file a claim to receive compensation from one or more of the following persons or entities:
- The at-fault driver in the accident
- A car manufacturer if the airbag was improperly installed
- An airbag manufacturer if the airbag was defective or failed to deploy
- A repair shop if an airbag was damaged during repairs
The dangers of airbags are well documented. An injured driver or passenger could potentially file a claim against the responsible party or parties in their crash. However, airbag injury claims can be challenging and complex and may require expert witness testimony. An experienced and dedicated car accident lawyer can help you determine all liable parties and hold them to account for your injuries and losses.
How The Mark Casto Law Firm Can Help
If you have been seriously injured and are now suffering from the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of an airbag injury, an experienced car accident attorney at The Mark Casto Law Firm could help you understand your legal rights and ensure they remain protected. Our legal team has years’ worth of experience handling a variety of car accident claims and helping accident victims recover the compensation they need and deserve. Ways in which we can help you pursue justice include but are not limited to:
Gathering Evidence
Without comprehensive evidence proving your case and your damages, any attempt at recovering compensation may fail. Our experienced attorneys can help you collect and organize the evidence required to prove negligence, which can include:
- Accident reports
- Issuing a spoliation letter to preserve evidence
- Witness statements
- Technical reports
- Medical reports proving your injuries
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Your personal injury attorney has experience in dealing with insurance companies and negotiating in a victim’s best interests. Going it alone, especially if you suffer from extensive injuries, can result in leaving substantial amounts of money on the table. We can protect your rights and negotiate for a fair settlement that covers all your past, present, and future estimated damages due to an accident. Our dedicated lawyers can handle all communication with an insurance company and protect your legal rights every step of the way.
Representing You in Court
Presenting your case strongly against another driver, car manufacturer, or airbag manufacturer on your own can be legally challenging. An experienced car accident attorney can fight for you and defend you from any attempts by the other side to discredit your claim or minimize your potential settlement.
Call Our Experienced Legal Team for Help with Your Car Accident Case
When you suffer harm due to an airbag in a car accident, our experienced legal team can investigate your case fully and aim for the maximum recovery that you deserve under the law. There will be no upfront attorney’s fees to pay when we take on your case, as we work on a contingency, “no-win-no-fee” basis. Call The Mark Casto Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and ensure your legal rights remain protected: 706-450-7071.