Anderson Injury Lawyers | November 26, 2024 | Car Accidents
Airbags became standard equipment in cars in 1998 and in SUVs, passenger trucks, and vans in 1999, significantly improving vehicle safety and saving thousands of lives each year. Over a span of 30 years, airbags are estimated to have helped save more than 50,000 lives in car accidents. In addition to saving lives, airbags also play a key role in reducing the risk of certain injuries during collisions.
How Does an Airbag Work During a Car Accident?
Typically, airbags deploy in moderate to severe crashes. During the crash, a signal is sent to the airbag module, causing an igniter in the inflator to start a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction produces a gas that inflates the airbag.
An airbag provides a barrier that prevents the person from striking the steering wheel or dashboard. Side airbags protect people from slamming into the door or window.
Effects of Airbag Deployment in Dallas Car Accidents
If the airbags in your vehicle deploy during an accident, it could impact your car accident claim in several ways. Airbag deployment can:
Support Injury Claims
The risk of severe injuries increases with the severity of the car accident. Thus, airbag deployment could support medical evidence to establish your injuries.
However, the insurance adjuster could take an adversarial stance. They may scrutinize your medical records carefully to ensure you are not exaggerating injuries from the accident just because your airbag was deployed. Prompted medical treatment after an accident is crucial. Delays in medical care can raise questions about your injuries.
Cause Additional Injuries
Airbags can cause severe injuries when deployed, even when the airbag works correctly. Airbags inflate in about 1/20th of a second or less. That much force could result in:
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Spinal cord injury
- Cardiac injuries
- Seatbelt syndrome
- Chest and lung injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
The chemicals in the airbag are safe. However, exposure to the chemicals can also cause injuries. The sound from the airbag deploying can also cause hearing damage.
Death and Injuries From Malfunctioning Airbags
Airbags may fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly because of defects or malfunctions. Defective airbags can cause wrongful deaths and serious injuries. Reasons for an airbag failing to deploy include:
- Faulty sensors
- Manufacturing or design defects
- Improper placement of the crash sensor
- The speed of the vehicle when it crashed
- The direction or location of the impact
- A smaller person or child is sitting in the front seat
When an airbag fails to deploy in an accident, the occupants may sustain additional injuries, or their injuries may be worse than if the airbag deployed. Determining why your airbag did not deploy is crucial to determining fault for airbag injuries.
Who Is Liable for Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident?
The driver who caused the car accident is liable for damages and injuries caused by the crash. If the airbag caused the victim’s injuries, the driver is still responsible, as the airbag would not have been deployed had it not been for the crash.
However, a third party may be liable for damages if the airbag is defective or malfunctions. For example, the manufacturer could be liable for injuries caused by a defective airbag. If a repair facility installed a new airbag incorrectly, it could be liable if the faulty installation caused the airbag injuries.
More than one party could be liable for your economic and non-economic damages for a car accident. Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, consult with an attorney to ensure the offer is the maximum amount available for your claim.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
