Airbags save lives. There’s no question that the number of fatal car accidents have decreased since airbags became standard safety equipment in modern vehicles – and they’ve also drastically decreased the severity of injuries in many wrecks.
However, airbag deployment can also cause a variety of injuries. Here are some basics you should know:
First-generation and faulty airbags are the worst offenders
When airbags deploy, they do so with a great deal of force – and motor vehicle drivers and passengers can be thrown into them at a very rapid speed. Many “first-generation” airbags placed in vehicles manufactured before 1998 were dangerous to vehicle occupants in low-speed crashes, especially if those occupants were improperly restrained, children, short of stature or elderly. While government regulations and better technology have changed things for the better, there are still some of those vehicles on the road today.
Even worse, there are numerous faulty airbags out there that either need to be recalled or are part of recalls but overlooked. Some of the problems associated with faulty airbags include incorrect timing of deployments, deployments that use too much force and defects that cause the airbags not to deploy at all.
When airbags don’t work correctly, victims can suffer:
- Injuries to their chest and heart, which can lead to cardiac arrest
- Rib fractures, which can also cause internal bleeding or punctured lungs
- Eye injuries and orbital socket injuries due to blunt force trauma
- Neck and back injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, whiplash and more
- Thermal or chemical burns to their faces, chest or hands
If you or your loved one suffered injuries from a faulty airbag, you may have a claim against someone besides the other driver involved in your crash. Seeking legal guidance can help you make sure that you aren’t overlooking a potential claim.