4 Injuries Caused By Premature Airbag Deployment

Airbags are vital safety features in cars. These devices are designed to cushion passengers during car accidents, reducing the severity of the injuries they could’ve sustained. But like any other device, airbags can also malfunction. Premature airbag deployment is an unfortunate but all-too-common issue for car owners. 

It can cause various injuries, ranging from minor facial injuries to serious trauma to the chest. 

That said, knowing what to do if a defective airbag injures you is vital for protecting your health and legal rights.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common injuries caused by premature airbag deployment and explore what legal action you can take to get compensation for your injuries. 

Read on to learn how you can get justice for your airbag injuries. 

How Do Airbags Work?

Before discussing the different injuries that premature airbag deployment causes, let’s examine how airbags work. 

After a head-on collision, cars immediately come to a stop. The passengers’ bodies, however, don’t. The body’s momentum will continue unless an outside force, in this scenario, the airbag, brings it to a stop. 

When your car crashes into something solid, a sensor called the accelerometer triggers a circuit that fires off an electric current, igniting an explosive charge. 

The explosion then produces nitrogen, which fills the deflated airbag at about 200 miles per hour. Once inflated, the airbag quickly deflates again, gradually reducing the driver’s momentum from 60 mph to 0. 

From detection to deployment, all this happens within 30 milliseconds. But if an airbag is defective, the deployment could be even faster. 

4 Common Injuries Caused By Premature Deployment

There are four types of airbag injuries typically caused by premature deployment:

Facial Injuries

Frontal airbags protect your face and eyes from broken glass and other flying debris during a crash. But if they were deployed improperly, their strong impact could cause facial lacerations, broken bones, and even blindness. 

Chest Injuries

The chest and ribcage are the areas that bear most of the brunt of an airbag’s force. The impact of the deployment can result in bruising and broken ribs. If the driver is sitting too close to the steering wheel during the incident, they will most likely sustain internal injuries. 

Neck & Spine Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common airbag injuries people suffer after a car crash. These injuries happen when the neck is suddenly jerked back and forth, causing strain on its muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

This injury could result in various symptoms, such as neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

There have been unfortunate incidents where victims sustained concussions and other similar brain injuries after a premature airbag deployment.

The aftermath of these traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is profound, ranging from temporary disorientation to long-term cognitive impairments. Some victims find it difficult to do basic tasks and have difficulty concentrating. 

In severe cases, these injuries can result in permanent disabilities.

Can I File A Claim For An Airbag Injury?

If a defect was the primary cause of your airbag injury, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. 

According to product liability laws, manufacturers owe their consumers a duty of care. This means they must ensure their products are safe before they are released into the market. If they fail to do this, they will be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their product. 

Product liability claims for defective airbags can be categorized into three categories:

Design Defects

This claim argues that the airbag’s design is inherently flawed, making it unsafe for its intended use. For example, airbags that deploy with excessive force could cause severe injuries such as fractures or concussions. 

Another example of a design defect is inadequate cushioning. If an airbag with insufficient cushioning is deployed, it won’t be able to absorb the deployment force. 

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects occur during the production process of the airbag. It argues that the airbag’s design was not properly implemented, causing it to become defective. 

Failure to Warn

Failure to warn claims revolve around inadequate warnings on the potential risks of using a product. Airbag manufacturers must warn their users of the inherent dangers of their products. If not, they will be held liable for the resulting injuries.

What Damages Can I Claim For Airbag Injuries?

Victims like you who suffer from airbag injuries can claim compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation costs
• Disability and disfigurement
• Property damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

It’s worth noting that no defective airbag claim is the same. The exact damages you may be entitled to will depend on the nature of your case.

California’s Statute of Limitations For Defective Airbags

Those injured by defective airbags in California have two years to file a claim against the manufacturer. This period starts from the moment you sustained your injuries. 

However, the timeline can be extended in specific instances, such as:

• Physical incapacitation of the injured party
• Mental incapacitation of the injured party
• The victim’s injuries did not manifest until a later time. 
• The injured party did not know that a defective airbag caused their injuries. 

Once your claim’s statute of limitations expires, you will lose the right to file a lawsuit.

Get Help Filing A Defective Airbag Claim

Airbags undoubtedly play a critical role in mitigating the severity of injuries during car accidents. But when these safety devices malfunction and prematurely deploy, they can cause significant harm to passengers. 

Fortunately, injured victims like you have the right to file a claim against negligent airbag manufacturers. If you need help filing a defective airbag claim, look no further than Adamson Ahdoot. 

Adamson Ahdoot is a premier civil litigation firm in Los Angeles. Our team of personal injury lawyers has over 100 years of combined legal experience. 

We have handled various personal injury cases, ranging from rear-end car accidents to complex product liability claims. Our legal team will help you file your defective airbag claim, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.  

To learn more about our services, Call us at (800) 310-1606 today to schedule your free consultation with our legal counsel.