Car safety has come a long way, from safety belts to laminated glass for windshields, and it was not until the 90s that airbags became standard equipment in all motor vehicles.
Airbags mitigate the impact of a crash on the passenger, and according to a recent report, more than 50,000 lives have been saved by frontal airbags from 1987 to 2017. However, not all is rosy with this useful safety feature; it cuts both ways.
While airbags have proven their worth in saving lives, they have also come under scrutiny for the injuries caused during deployment due to their rapid speed upon release. In addition, given that the majority of cars sold worldwide do not meet safety standards, faulty airbags can be disastrous and can cause serious injuries to the car’s occupants.
Common Injuries Arising from Airbag Deployment
Airbags deploy at speeds of between 100 and 220 miles per hour, and impact injuries are the most common. The extent of these injuries depends on a number of factors, including the angle of collision, the speed of the vehicles involved, as well as whether the occupants were wearing seatbelts.
That’s why it is very important to wear seat belts because they help maintain the recommended distance of at least 10 inches when the airbag deploys. This minimizes the effects of an exploding airbag.
Below are common injuries that can arise from airbag deployment:
- Hearing loss injuries
- These are the most common; about 17% of people involved in an accident where the airbag deploys suffer hearing loss from the airbag’s noise and impact.
- Internal Injuries from the deployment impact
- This may include broken bones, especially in the chest area.
- Head and spinal injuries
- Lacerations and facial injuries
Can I Get Compensation for Injuries Caused by Airbag Deployment?
Luckily, the answer is yes. Following an accident, your insurance provider will financially alleviate your injuries and losses to the extent of your cover. However, it is very important to get in touch with a car accident attorney because compensation from insurance companies may not be enough to fully cover you.
Legal recourse is available if you suffer injuries from a deployed airbag, depending on the circumstances of your crash and the severity of your injuries. It is also important to remember that you still have a case even if the airbag fails to deploy during an accident and thus worsening your injuries.
A faulty airbag injury may form a personal injury claim. With an experienced car accident lawyer, you can prove that the airbag malfunctioned, either from a manufacturer’s design flaw or because of a defective component that made it reasonably dangerous.
You may file a personal liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the vehicle or airbag, the dealership that sold you the car, or even the company that installs the airbags in the car. All these parties owe you a duty of care, which may have been breached depending on your crash. Your attorney will prove that this breach resulted in the accident that caused you damages such as medical bills, loss of income as well as emotional pain and suffering.
It is important to note that not all injuries arising from a deployed airbag are compensable. Your burden of proof will be to show that the airbag deployed outside normal circumstances, thus causing or worsening your injuries. A well-informed car accident lawyer is best placed to not only investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries but also present your case in a way that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
