Airbags and other safety technology have significantly reduced the number of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents around the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says airbags have saved tens of thousands of lives. Use of both airbags and seatbelts reduces the risks of death in certain types of accidents by more than 50%.
Unfortunately, there are also risks associated with airbag deployment. Here’s what you need to know about how airbags work in car accidents, when airbag deployment can cause personal injury, and your rights when you’ve been injured by an airbag.
Of course, there’s no substitute for personalized information and advice after a car accident. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys right now. Just call 801-876-7771 or fill out our contact form
How Do Airbags Work?
Airbags are built into your vehicle. Front airbags are typically housed in the steering wheel on the driver’s side and in the dashboard on the passenger’s side. Some vehicles have additional airbags, most commonly in the side panels.
In simple terms, a sensor triggers the airbag when the vehicle is involved in a car accident. Typically, the airbag is activated in a collision with the force of a vehicle hitting a brick wall at about 10 miles per hour.
Airbags deploy very rapidly. That’s an important feature, since delay of even a fraction of a second can diminish their effectiveness as a safety device. But, that also means that the airbag shoots out at a very high speed. Depending on where and from what distance the airbag connects with an occupant in the vehicle, that impact may cause injuries.
Airbag-Related Injuries in Salt Lake City Car Accidents
Unfortunately, there are many ways airbags and airbag failures can cause injuries to drivers and passengers–sometimes even when the airbag deploys as intended. Some examples include:
- Bruises, abrasions, and occasionally broken bones from the force of the deployment of the airbag
- Corneal abrasion or detached retina due to the force of the airbag
- Burns or chemical irritation to the skin
- Chemical irritation of the eyes
- Chemical irritation of the lungs
- Chest injuries, including broken ribs and/or damage to internal organs
- Penetrating injuries from shrapnel or an object forced into the body by the airbag
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
How do Airbag Injuries Happen?
In some cases, airbag injuries are simply a result of the speed and force involved in an airbag deployment. Sometimes, though, airbag injuries occur because the driver or passenger made a mistake. And sometimes they happen because the airbag or some component of the airbag was poorly designed or manufactured, or because the manufacturer failed to provide enough information about how to use the airbags safely.
Some examples include:
- Faulty sensors that fail to deploy the airbag in a car accident, or deploy the airbags too late
- Faulty sensors that cause the airbags to deploy when there is no collision
- Airbags that deploy with too much force or fail to adapt as advertised
- Improper placement leading to deployment at the wrong angle
- Faulty internal parts that may break apart and form projectiles during deployment
One of the widest-ranging airbag recalls involved Takata airbags with canisters that could break down, resulting in the airbag exploding. At least 23 people are believed to have died as a result of these explosions.
Why Use Airbags?
With all of these possible injuries in mind, you may be asking yourself why airbags are still standard on motor vehicles, and whether you want them in your car. The answer is simple: experts nearly universally agree that airbags save lives. The chances of being seriously injured or killed by an airbag are much lower than the chances of being seriously injured or killed in a car accident without airbags–especially if you do your part to ensure that you’re using them safely.
Avoiding Airbag Injuries
To minimize the risk of airbag injuries, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recommends:
- Ensuring that you are seated at least 10 inches from the steering wheel when driving
- Have children ride in the back seat, since their smaller size and different positioning can increase the risk of airbag injury
- Never rest your arms on the steering wheel, put your feet on the dashboard, or otherwise lean or rest against an area an airbag could deploy from
- Don’t let children or other backseat passengers lean on doors or lie down with their heads near the door
- Don’t install aftermarket dash cover or seat covers as they may interfere with deployment of the airbag
Other sources suggest ensuring that your steering wheel is not tilted upward, which can result in deployment toward your head and face rather than toward your midsection. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the placement of your vehicle’s airbags and their specific features. For example, some–but not all–are equipped with sensors that will adjust the speed and force of airbag deployment if a smaller person is in the seat.
Who is Liable for Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and you believe some of your injuries were caused or aggravated by an airbag issue, your next step should be to speak with an experienced car accident attorney who also has experience with product liability cases.
It is possible that you may have claims against both the driver who caused the car accident and the manufacturer of the airbag or someone else involved in the design, manufacture, sale or maintenance of the airbag. However, not all personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to handle both types of claims.
Salt Lake City Car Accident Attorneys
The car accident attorneys at Allred, Vogt & Stuart know you need reliable advice right away after a car accident injury, whether your injuries are caused by the crash or by a defective airbag. We offer free consultations to Salt Lake City injury victims. You can schedule yours right now by calling 801-876-7771 or filling out our contact form.
