A car accident is a traumatic experience when it causes injuries. Although airbags inarguably save lives, they can also cause significant trauma to the face, head, and upper body due to their violent, high-pressure deployment. When an airbag’s calibration is off by even the tiniest percentage, it can cause more serious injuries, either due to overly powerful detonation, deployment too close to the motorist, or unnecessary deployments, resulting in serious injuries.In such cases, speaking with a St. Louis car accident lawyer can help victims understand their rights and pursue compensation for airbag-related injuries.
How Do Airbags Cause Injuries?
An airbag must be carefully calibrated to deploy only in a serious collision, and with an impact strength that doesn’t present a danger to motorists separate from the accident itself. Even when perfectly calibrated and functioning optimally, an airbag ignites on collision and deploys in a microsecond by filling with a harmless gas. The airbag detonates outward at 200 miles per hour with 2,600 pounds of force and then quickly collapses to allow the motorist to move freely. The airbag cushions the motorist from direct contact with the steering wheel or dash, but the forceful deployment can cause significant injuries, while at the same time preventing life-threatening injuries or death. Seatbelt malfunctions sometimes cause or contribute to airbag injuries. For instance, if a seatbelt fails to lock into place correctly, it allows the motorist to come too close to the airbag during deployment.
What Types of Injuries are Caused by Airbags?
Serious airbag injuries can occur to the head, face, and upper thoracic region. Drivers may also experience wrist and arm injuries due to airbag deployment while they are holding the steering wheel. Common airbag injuries include the following:
- External head, facial, and dental injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Orbital fractures
- Fractured nose, jaw, or cheekbones
- Eye injuries
- Ear injuries
- Fractures and soft-tissue injuries to wrists and forearms
- Rib fractures
- Chest injuries
- Fractured clavicle
- Shoulder injuries
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
Airbag injuries may be immediately apparent after an accident, for instance, when they cause a broken nose, bruising, or facial swelling. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately noticeable. Instead, the injury victim develops symptoms during the hours and days after the injury.
Airbag Malfunctions May Cause More Severe Car Accident Injuries
An airbag’s design defect, incorrect installation, calibration mistake, or manufacturing error can result in severe injuries. This is particularly distressing when an airbag deploys in a minor collision, causing unnecessary injuries when injuries might otherwise not have occurred. An example of defective airbags occurred during the worldwide recall for Takata airbags. The components in these devices deteriorated over time, causing dangerous shrapnel to explode into the car when an airbag deployed. Takata airbags caused many severe injuries and several fatalities. More common examples of airbag malfunctions include:
- Improper calibration of collision sensors, which causes airbags to deploy unnecessarily during a minor collision or when hitting a pothole
- Overly forceful airbag deployment
- Faulty airbag on/off switches
- Malfunctioning airbag electrical systems
- Improper installation
- Incorrect re-installation after an accident
An experienced St. Louis defective product liability attorney can help victims of a defective airbag recover compensation.
Liability In Airbag Injury Cases
When a car accident injury victim seeks compensation for damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, they may file a claim against an at-fault driver. In some cases, if an airbag’s malfunction causes significant injuries and additional damages, an accident victim may seek compensation against a liable party, such as the car manufacturer, the airbag manufacturer, an airbag installer, or the manufacturer of a defective seatbelt. Set up a free consultation with a St. Louis injury attorney today.