There is no doubt that airbags save lives and provide essential protection against injuries for car occupants. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags saved more than 50,000 lives over 30 years. However, that doesn’t mean the use of airbags comes without risk.
Defective or faulty airbags can cause devastating burns and other injuries. These injuries can result in unexpected medical expenses, time away from work, and other consequences to your health and financial stability.
If you have been injured by an airbag, you may be owed compensation for your losses. At Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons, our dedicated Oklahoma personal injury lawyers have a long track record of successfully helping accident victims recover the money they need to move forward with their lives.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your situation with a compassionate and diligent airbag injury lawyer.
How Do Airbags Deploy?
An airbag is an inflatable, balloon-like device that is supposed to protect drivers and passengers when there is a collision. There are generally two different categories of airbags — front airbags and side airbags. Since 1999, the federal government has required carmakers and manufacturers to install front airbags in their vehicles.
An internal electronic system controls airbags. When a car is involved in a moderate to severe collision with an object or vehicle, the electronic system signals the airbags to inflate.
Newer airbag designs use an algorithm that helps the system decide when to deploy the airbag. If safety systems detect an occupant is not wearing a seatbelt, the algorithm can deploy the airbags even in a low-speed collision.
What Happens When Airbags Deploy?
It takes a lot of energy to deploy an airbag fast enough to make it effective in preventing injuries from an accident. When a car’s electrical control system registers an impact, the system sends a signal that starts the airbag’s deployment. The airbag’s igniter then triggers a chemical reaction, producing a gas that quickly inflates the airbag and sends it bursting from the steering wheel and dashboard.
These reactions happen in milliseconds to deploy the airbags. The inflated airbags cushion and prevent you from hitting the windshield, steering column, or side of the vehicle.
Side Effects of Airbag Deployment: Do Airbags Hurt?
Airbags are designed to cushion you from the blow of an impact. However, that doesn’t mean that colliding with an airbag is completely painless. If you are involved in a serious accident, the force of the collision can cause injuries even with airbag deployment. Hitting an airbag is much less painful than hitting the windshield of a car, though.
Unfortunately, defective airbags can also cause significant injuries. Airbags that overinflate or do not inflate enough can seriously hurt occupants. Airbags that explode or leak chemicals can also lead to injuries. Some of the most common side effects of improper airbag deployment include the following:
- Chemical burns
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Contusions
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that front airbags have caused almost 300 deaths in low-speed crashes over nearly two decades. New technology has made airbag deaths rare. But faulty airbags still cause serious injuries. If you’re concerned about your airbags, the NHTSA has created a database where you can find information on whether your car is on an airbag recall list.
Can Airbag Burns Be Serious?
Any airbag injury can be severe. While the combination of chemicals used in airbag deployment is classified as “harmless,” inhalation of any chemical can be dangerous. Airbags can also cause severe thermal, friction, and chemical burns, with symptoms such as the following:
- Breathing problems
- Blindness
- Scrapes and abrasions
- Blisters
Airbag deployment injuries are painful and can lead to infections. If you are in an accident where an airbag deploys, seek medical help as soon as possible.
Can You Sue for Airbags Not Deploying and Airbag Injuries?
Airbags are designed to protect you. Unfortunately, not all airbag designs are effective. Faulty airbags sparked one of the largest recalls in U.S. history. The Takata airbag recall began in 2015 and impacted an estimated 70 million vehicles. Environmental conditions like heat and humidity caused some of these airbags to explode, resulting in at least 15 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
When a defect causes an airbag to respond inappropriately to conditions, the manufacturer could be held accountable. Defects that can cause airbag failure include the following:
- Holes in the airbag
- Faulty wiring or electrical connections
- Sensor failure
- Flawed airbag design
A defect can be a flaw in the airbag’s original design or on the manufacturing line. When a defect causes an airbag to malfunction, victims may be able to sue the manufacturer for compensation. However, taking on a giant manufacturer can be challenging.
If you’ve been hurt by an airbag in a crash, talk to an experienced airbag injury lawyer about your case. An attorney can review your case and investigate the cause of the collision to see if a defect caused your airbag injuries. They can also help determine if the manufacturer can be held responsible for compensating you.
Get in Touch with a Defective Airbag Lawyer in Oklahoma
Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons has been in business in Oklahoma for over 30 years, with each of our attorneys focusing on one practice area exclusively. Our legal team knows how to protect our clients’ rights. We seek to obtain meaningful compensation for all accident victims while providing outstanding customer service.
If you’ve suffered airbag injuries, call or connect with us online today to set up a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable airbag injury lawyer.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
