Airbags as protection for vehicle occupants were invented over fifty years ago. Since that time, airbags have saved an estimated 50,000 lives. Airbags and other improvements in vehicle safety have lowered car accident fatality rates by over 30%. Although the safety benefits of airbags are inarguable, the bags themselves explode outward into the vehicle at high force, sometimes causing trauma to motorists.
Airbag injuries are common in car accidents even when the bags function properly. If an airbag malfunctions, the injuries can be severe, leaving the manufacturer liable for damages to the victim.
What Causes Airbag Injuries?
Airbags have sensors that detect a crash and deploy the airbag in an instant at high-force. An igniter inside the bag produces a gas that inflates the airbag in a fraction of a second, providing a cushion between the vehicle occupant and the hard internal structures of the vehicle. However, the force caused by the bag’s instant powerful inflation against the face and upper body of the motorist can result in serious injury, even while preventing death. If an airbag malfunctions, the risk of serious injury is greater.
What Common Serious Injuries Can Occur?
Most airbag injuries are caused by front airbags, but the side airbags installed in some cars can also cause injuries. Common injuries caused by vehicle airbags include the following:
- Facial fractures
- Facial bruising
- Wrist injuries
- Eye injury
- Ear injury
- Chest injuries, including injury to the heart
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries in the upper body
- Chemical burns
- Respiratory problems from the gases used to inflate the airbag
- Fetal injuries in pregnant women
The above injuries commonly occur when airbags function properly. Some injuries in car accidents occur due to airbag malfunctions or defects. One of the most notable cases is the ongoing Takata airbag recall. These airbags deteriorate over time and propel dangerous shrapnel into the vehicle’s interior during a crash. At least 27 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries have resulted from defective Takata airbags.
Airbag Malfunction Injuries
An airbag is intended to prevent injuries, but when an airbag malfunctions, the result can be serious harm. Examples of airbag malfunctions that have caused injuries include the following:
- Unnecessary deployment: if an airbag’s sensor malfunctions, the bag could suddenly and forcefully deploy without adequate cause, resulting in airbag injuries or a car accident
- Failure to deploy: inadequate sensors or other defects could cause an airbag to fail to deploy in an accident. the accident victim may suffer injuries that could have been prevented by proper airbag deployment
- Defective airbag canisters: when the canister containing an airbag has a defect, it could send dangerous shrapnel flying into the vehicle’s interior, causing serious or even fatal injuries
- Improper airbag installment or replacement: when a vehicle manufacturer or repair company improperly installs, reinstalls, or replaces an airbag, the results could be an airbag that fails to deploy or improperly deploys, causing injuries
When an airbag malfunction causes injury, the airbag manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer is liable for the damages to the victim. Cherry Hill personal injury victims can contact us today for a free consultation evaluating your case and circumstances.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
When a car accident victim suffers injuries directly caused by their vehicle’s airbag, they can recover compensation for medical expenses, income loss, and pain and suffering. A skilled attorney investigates the accident, consults with expert witnesses, and identifies the liable party or parties in an accident.
Car accident victims may be able to recover compensation through a claim against the party at fault for the accident and/or a defective product claim against the airbag manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer. Manufacturers and retailers have direct liability to consumers when a product causes harm due to a design defect, malfunction, or inadequate labeling.
Call the Cherry Hill car crash lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti today for an evaluation of your airbag injury case.