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Car Crashes: Are Airbags Dangerous?

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Car airbags are a life-saving system meant to protect people, but they have ironically become a cause of fatalities. A critical question often asked in the wake of a crash is –

Does an airbag hurt? The answer is not straightforward.

Car crashes can be life-altering, and while car airbags are engineered to safeguard vehicle occupants, their deployment can sometimes result in unexpected injuries. In Utah, where personal injury claims demand careful attention to detail and a solid understanding of car accident and injury laws, understanding the role and risks of airbags is crucial.

When working with Utah car accident lawyers, knowing your rights when dealing with airbag injuries or even an isolated airbag injury is essential for protecting your future.

What Do Airbags Do in Car Crashes?

Car airbags are designed as a last line of defense.

In the event of a collision, they inflate rapidly – within milliseconds – to cushion occupants from the force of impact.
Their purpose is simple: to reduce the severity of injuries by absorbing and redistributing the energy generated during a crash.

When functioning as intended, these safety devices can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury. However, while airbags work to shield you from more severe trauma, they sometimes introduce their own set of challenges.

Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated sensor systems that determine the speed, angle, and severity of an impact. When these sensors detect a significant crash, they trigger the inflation of car airbags.

This process is finely tuned; yet, there have been cases where deployment occurs under conditions that may not justify such a reaction. These scenarios can lead to airbag injuries that are not directly caused by the collision itself.

Are Car Airbags Dangerous?

While airbags are fundamentally designed to reduce injury, their forceful deployment can sometimes cause harm. The inflation mechanism involves explosive charges that can lead to bruises, burns, and other forms of trauma if you are in close proximity.

Reports, including from CNN, highlight concerns raised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding airbag recalls. These recalls have underscored that in some instances – airbags can kill you – especially when the system malfunctions or deploys in unexpected situations.

Common Risks Associated with Car Airbags

Under certain conditions, car airbags may not behave as expected. One of the most alarming scenarios is when an airbag deploys without the typical indicators of a severe collision.

An airbag may deploy even without a crash if: a sensor error or a system malfunction tricks the deployment mechanism into thinking that a collision is occurring. This phenomenon, while not widespread, has been documented and can lead to serious consequences.

When an airbag activates under these unintended conditions, it poses several risks:

Unnecessary Force: The sudden force can result in injuries, especially for those seated too close to the airbag module.
Delayed Reaction Time: If the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, the abrupt deployment can startle occupants, potentially causing secondary injuries as they try to brace or evade the force.
Hardware Malfunctions: Sometimes, faulty wiring or sensor issues can result in partial or erratic inflation, which not only reduces the protective benefits but also increases the likelihood of physical harm.

Awareness of the fact that an airbag may deploy even without a crash helps underscore the importance of having legal recourse when these incidents result in harm.

Common Car Airbag Injuries

When airbags deploy, the injuries sustained can vary widely in severity.

The high-speed inflation and force of impact can lead to several types of injuries:

Facial and Neck Injuries: The rapid inflation may cause lacerations, bruising, or even fractures if the airbag strikes the face or neck at close range.
Chest Injuries: Although designed to cushion, the force can sometimes lead to broken ribs or sternum fractures, particularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Upper Limb Injuries: Injuries to the arms and hands can occur when occupants instinctively brace for impact. This is especially true if the deployment is unexpected.
Burns and Abrasions: The chemicals involved in the inflation process can cause burns or skin abrasions, contributing to the overall tally of airbag injuries.
Internal Injuries: In rare cases, the sheer force of deployment can lead to internal trauma, necessitating extensive medical treatment.

While these devices have saved countless lives, the risk of sustaining a significant airbag injury remains a critical consideration for anyone involved in a car accident.

What You Should Do if Your Airbags Malfunctioned

If you suspect that your airbags malfunctioned during a crash or deployed unexpectedly, there are several important steps to take:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health and safety are paramount. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it is important to get a full medical evaluation. Some airbag injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately but can worsen over time.

Document the Incident: If possible, take detailed notes of the incident, including how the airbag deployed and any visible injuries. Photographs of the scene, the deployed airbags, and any damage to your vehicle can serve as critical evidence.

Preserve All Records: Keep all medical records, repair bills, and any communication with insurance companies. This documentation will be invaluable when establishing a case for airbag injuries.

Consult a Car Crash Lawyer: If you experience injuries that you suspect resulted from a malfunctioning airbag, it is important to speak with a legal professional who understands both car accident and product liability claims. Utah has stringent laws governing vehicle safety and product liability that can play a crucial role in your case.

Filing Injury Claims for Car Airbag Injuries

In cases where malfunctioning car airbags result in injuries, affected individuals have the right to seek compensation. Filing an injury claim for airbag injuries requires proving that the deployment mechanism failed to operate as it should have. This can involve a combination of car accident and product liability claims.

When an airbag malfunctions, the injuries incurred may not be solely from the impact of the crash but from the faulty deployment itself.

These injuries can include:

Secondary Injuries: Damage caused by the sudden and forceful impact of the deploying airbag. This might include injuries to the eyes, face, or even spinal injuries.
Exacerbation of Pre-existing Conditions: The sudden impact may aggravate underlying health issues, making recovery more challenging.

The filing process for such claims typically involves proving that the airbag did not perform according to safety standards, which can open the door to product liability claims. These claims focus on whether the manufacturer, supplier, or even the maintenance of the airbag system was responsible for the malfunction.

Car Crash and Airbag-Related Fatalities

In the most tragic instances, malfunctioning car airbags can lead to fatalities. A malfunction that deploys with excessive force or under unintended circumstances may contribute to fatal injuries. Families affected by such tragedies may have grounds for wrongful death claims, which require a thorough investigation into both the vehicle’s safety systems and the manufacturer’s compliance with safety standards.

Filing claims in these situations is especially complex. It involves an in-depth review of technical details, accident reconstruction, and often, expert testimony regarding the airbag system’s failure.

If you or a loved one has been fatally injured due to a car airbag malfunction, seeking legal assistance can help ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable and that you receive fair compensation for your loss.

Seeking Legal Representation for Car Airbag-Related Injuries

Understanding your rights and the legal avenues available is crucial to securing compensation for your airbag injuries. Whether your injuries stem from the forceful deployment of an airbag or from the tragic loss of life, consulting with a seasoned Salt Lake City car crash lawyer can help guide you through the complex claim process.

Your airbag injury claim might involve multiple parties, including the vehicle manufacturer, the company responsible for maintaining the airbag system, and even the dealership that sold the car. In these cases, a detailed investigation is necessary to determine liability. For victims of such incidents, prompt legal action is essential to ensure that all evidence is preserved and that your case is as strong as possible.

At Craig Swapp & Associates, we’re known for our commitment to helping injured individuals. With our promise of no legal fees until you settle or win, our approach is designed to minimize the burden on victims while maximizing the strength of their case.

Whether you are facing ongoing medical challenges or the lasting impact of trauma from an airbag malfunction, securing a Utah car crash lawyer can make all the difference.

Take action now – “One Call, That’s All!”

Call our office today at 1-866-308-3822 or fill out our contact form to have your free consultation scheduled.

Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp

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