Airbags are supposed to help prevent catastrophic injuries during a crash. When they fail to deploy, malfunction during an impact, or deploy unexpectedly, the very system designed to protect vehicle occupants can become a source of serious harm.
If you suffered injuries in a crash in Austin, Texas, and believe an airbag malfunction may have played a role, obtaining answers is not always straightforward. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, our Austin airbag injury lawyers help people investigate these failures and hold the companies accountable. Contact us today at (512) 399-5000 for a free consultation.
How Can Anderson Injury Lawyers Help After an Airbag Injury in Austin, TX?
Airbag injury cases often require a completely different investigation than a typical car accident. While a police report may explain how the crash occurred, it rarely answers whether the airbag system functioned properly or whether a defect contributed to the injuries.
Our Austin personal injury lawyers focus on uncovering what the vehicle’s safety systems were doing in the moments before, during, and after the collision.
To build that understanding, we may:
- Inspect the vehicle and airbag components
- Review crash data and electronic vehicle records
- Investigate recalls involving the vehicle or airbag system
- Work with automotive engineering experts
- Analyze repair and maintenance history
- Identify manufacturers and other potentially liable parties
The sooner this process begins, the better the opportunity to preserve important evidence. Contact our Austin car accident lawyers today for a free case review.
What Causes Airbag Injuries?
Airbag injuries can result from both mechanical failures and design defects.
Common causes include:
- Failure to deploy during a collision
- Unexpected deployment without impact
- Defective inflators
- Faulty crash sensors
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Improper vehicle repairs affecting airbag performance
Modern airbag systems rely on multiple components working together correctly. When one part fails, the system may not respond the way vehicle occupants expect during an emergency.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Airbag Cases?
Airbag-related incidents can produce a wide range of injuries depending on the nature of the malfunction and the severity of the crash. The defective inflators behind the Takata airbag recalls, for example, have been linked to serious and even fatal injuries.
Common injuries in cases like this include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial fractures
- Eye injuries
- Neck injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Burns and lacerations
Airbag cases often involve questions about whether certain injuries could have been prevented entirely if the safety system had worked as intended. That issue can become a major factor when evaluating damages and responsibility.
Who Could Be Liable for an Airbag Injury?
Determining responsibility in an airbag case often requires looking beyond the driver who caused the collision.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Airbag manufacturers
- Parts suppliers
- Automotive designers
- Repair facilities
- Dealerships
Identifying the correct defendants can significantly affect the outcome of a claim. Manufacturers and corporate entities frequently have access to technical information, testing records, and design data that may not be readily available to consumers. Our attorneys can pursue that information and investigate whether larger safety issues contributed to the failure.
What Compensation Is Available to Me?
The losses associated with an airbag injury may extend far beyond the emergency room visit following the collision.
Compensation may include:
- Medical treatment expenses
- Future medical care needs
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and permanent impairment
- Emotional and psychological harm
Insurance companies sometimes focus on the immediate aftermath of a crash while overlooking the lasting effects of facial injuries, scarring, vision problems, or permanent physical limitations. Our Austin personal injury attorneys work to ensure those long-term consequences receive the attention they deserve during settlement negotiations and litigation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Texas generally imposes a two-year deadline for filing most personal injury lawsuits. However, product-related claims often involve additional considerations regarding evidence preservation and technical investigation.
The vehicle itself may become one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case. Allowing repairs, disposal, or salvage to occur before the vehicle is properly examined can complicate the investigation and limit access to valuable information.
When you speak with our attorneys early, it gives us the opportunity to identify critical evidence, preserve relevant records, and begin evaluating whether an airbag defect contributed to your injuries.
Contact an Austin Airbag Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Most drivers never expect to question whether their vehicle’s safety systems worked properly. When an airbag fails, the consequences can be severe, and discovering the truth often requires a deeper investigation than a typical car accident claim.
Anderson Injury Lawyers helps injured individuals throughout Austin, TX, pursue answers when defective airbags and vehicle safety failures contribute to serious injuries. Contact our Austin airbag injury attorneys today for a free consultation.