The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) indicates that airbags are a critical safety feature of an automobile. There are both front and side airbags, but since 1999, only the installation of front airbags has been required in all passenger vehicles. When airbags deploy, they provide a cushion for the head and body to make contact with which is supposed to minimize the severity of injuries and death in a crash. Statistics from IIHS further show that front airbags can reduce driver fatalities in frontal crashes by 29%. Despite their proven safety, occasions do exist when an airbag will rapidly inflate and the force that comes with this can injure passengers. Airbag injuries can be severe. In some situations, a person who is hurt by a defective airbag may be able to take legal action and secure financial compensation to cover the costs of their medical care and other losses. The Missouri personal injury lawyers with Steelman Gaunt Crowley offer free case evaluations for victims of car accidents, including incidents involving malfunctioning airbags. Call (573) 341-8336 today to schedule your complimentary consultation.
How Do Airbag Injuries Happen?
Although airbags form an important safety feature of a personal automobile, there are times when they can cause injuries and even death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) found that from 1990 through 2008, there were over 290 people who died as a result of a frontal airbag deployment.
There are several ways that an airbag injury can happen. Some of the most common include:
- A faulty airbag may deploy unexpectedly when it is not supposed to.
- The gas that is used to fill an airbag can be released and lead to respiratory problems when inhaled.
- Facial and eye injuries can result from the impact of a deployed airbag.
- The propellant canister that releases the gas could become dislodged and strike a passenger.
Injuries That Can Result From an Airbag Deploying
Faulty airbags that deploy without an appropriate trigger can cause serious airbag injuries. The reality, however, is that even when an airbag inflates as designed, activating under impact during a car accident, the force of the airbag’s expansion can also cause injuries. The following are some of the most common injuries reported by accident victims after an airbag deploys:
- Injuries to the head and face such as cuts, lacerations, swelling, bruising, bone fractures
- Injuries to the chest
- Trauma to the ear that can cause tinnitus or hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injury
- Bone fractures to ribs, skull, arms, hands, and wrists
- Eye injuries that result from chemical exposure or from physical contact with the airbag
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Fetal injuries in pregnant women
- Respiratory conditions from chemicals
Timeline for Treating and Healing Airbag Injuries
The good news is that in most cases, an airbag injury can be treated. For example, if a broken bone is sustained then ice packs, wraps or casts, and anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.
The amount of time it takes to heal injuries can depend on a variety of factors. How severe the injuries are, the type and extent of treatment necessary, and the health of the person who is injured will all contribute to healing time. Broken bones could take weeks or months to heal, while recovery from mild contussions might progress more rapidly. Therefore, the length of time it takes to recover can vary from person to person and some people can expect to fully recover while others will only be able to partially recover. In the most tragic cases, airbag injuries can be fatal.
Resources for Consumers Regarding Defective Car Parts
One of the most widely known and largest defective airbag recalls in United States history was that of Takata. In 2015, over 60 million airbags were recalled after hundreds of people were injured and close to two dozen people died when these airbags exploded on deployment. Many individuals who suffered injuries or death from the Takata airbags were able to take legal action to pursue compensation for their damages. Should you be hurt as the result of a defective airbag, you may want to learn more about your options and if your situation rises to the level of filing a claim. A Missouri personal injury lawyer at Steelman Gaunt Crowley offers legal advice and assistance.
Drivers can take proactive steps to safeguard their own safety by staying up to date with potential recalls and other issues that could be affecting a vehicle. The NHTSA provides a recall database as a resource for consumers to use in tracking safety issues related to their own vehicles. Here one can not only access information on recalls related to automobiles, but also use the NHTSA’s tools to locate service centers that may offer repairs for free. Safety-first drivers can make a habit of periodically inputting the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each automobile they maintain and checking to see if their cars need repair as a result of a recall.
Obtaining Compensation for an Airbag Injury
When filing an airbag injury claim, a claimant will need to prove that their physical injuries were a direct result of the airbag’s operation. Depending on the circumstances of the case, compensation may be paid for any or all of the following damages:
- The cost of medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings/wages from having to temporarily spend time away from work while healing from injuries or being unable to return to work at all
- Emotional trauma
- End-of-life expenses
Missouri residents should familiarize themselves with the statute of limitations for defective product claims, as filing any claim within the statute of limitations is critical to securing compensation. Failure to do so can result in an inability to recover financial damages.
Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience. Suffering serious injuries as a result of a defective airbag may increase the degree of trauma, both physical and mental. Airbag injuries can inflict considerable damage, but victims who understand their rights put themselves in position to pursue compensation. Regardless of the specific type of airbag injuries they have sustained, car occupants who have been harmed by airbags may be able to take legal action and obtain monetary compensation for many of the losses they have suffered. Figuring out how to pursue an airbag injury claim can be difficult, especially while you are trying to recover from the injury itself. The assistance of a personal injury lawyer may help things go more smoothly. If you have been harmed by an airbag and want to learn more about your legal options, call a Missouri personal injury lawyer with Steelman Gaunt Crowley at (573) 341-8336 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
