Airbags save lives. The data backs this up. However, airbags can still lead to significant injuries for those involved in a vehicle accident. Even though airbags are designed to save lives when an accident occurs, these devices deploy at high rates of speed into an already chaotic and potentially traumatic situation. Airbags can lead to various types of injuries, and these injuries should be included in any vehicle accident claim against an alleged negligent party.
Most Common Airbag Injuries
The Arizona DOT says that there were nearly 120,000 total vehicle accidents across the state in 2022. Out of these incidents, there were more than 52,000 injuries reported. Even though we do not have official data related to airbag injuries, you can be certain they occurred.
Even though airbags save lives, more than 50,000 over a 30-year period. According to the NHTSA, airbags can cause injuries in and of themselves due to the force with which they deploy. When an airbag deploys, some of the most common injuries associated with the deployment include:
- Facial injuries
- Concussions or moderate brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Hand and wrist injuries
Most modern vehicles have airbags that deploy from multiple locations. This includes traditional airbags that deploy from the steering wheel and dash areas, as well as side airbags that can surround drivers and passengers and deploy depending on where the impact occurs. Airbags deploy within 1/20th of a second and at a high rate of speed, so injuries are often unavoidable. However, the alternative to an airbag is often much more severe injuries, so airbag injuries are the tradeoff for increased safety.
Liability for an Airbag Injury
Most airbag injuries occur through the normal deployment of the airbag deployment after an accident occurs. In these particular situations, the incident should be investigated just like any other car accident. If there was a driver responsible for the incident, then that driver’s insurance carrier will likely be responsible for paying compensation to the injury victims. This includes individuals who sustain airbag injuries.
The NHTSA does discuss several airbag recalls that have occurred in the US over the last decade. In some situations, particularly the Takata airbag recall, defective airbags can cause major injuries in the absence of an overall incident causing their deployment.
Do You Need an Attorney?
If you or somebody you love has sustained an airbag injury, you may be able to recover compensation. These incidents can be challenging, and they must be investigated to understand who may be liable. If you have sustained an airbag injury, you may have a claim against another driver who caused the accident. However, if the airbag injury was caused by a defective airbag, you may have a claim against a company or manufacturer.
Your Phoenix car accident attorney can examine the facts of your case and help determine the best steps moving forward. Some compensation that may be available includes coverage of any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages, as well as property damage expenses.