Airbags are designed to protect car accident victims from suffering severe impact injuries by cushioning the collision. However, in certain circumstances, they may not even function properly! This blog will specifically discuss airbag injuries (injuries from properly deployed airbags vs. faulty airbags), the parties who can be held liable and how victims can pursue justice in the face of negligence.
Types of Airbag Injuries
Airbag injuries can be caused by either a properly or improperly deployed airbag. An adequately deployed airbag is meant to cushion the blow of an accident and prevent more serious injury; however, if it deploys too quickly or with too much force, it can cause serious injury to the victim’s:
- Head – While an airbag may help protect you from severe physical contact with the dashboard or windshield, it can still cause serious injury. The force of the deployment can break bones in the face and leave permanent scarring. In some cases, eye injuries have been so bad as to cause temporary or even permanent blindness.
- Neck – The force of an airbag’s deployment may cause whiplash, leading to serious neck and back injuries that require ongoing medical care and therapy.
- Arms – The force of an airbag’s deployment can also cause burns and bruises to the arms, hands, and fingers.
- Chest – When the airbag deploys forth from the steering wheel and strikes your body that is moving in a forward direction, you may be at risk of injuring your chest area. Many have suffered broken bones in their chests and trauma to soft tissue areas of the body.
On the other hand, an improperly deployed airbag—which may occur due to a malfunction in manufacturing or design—can leave a victim unprotected in an accident and cause more serious injury than if there had been no airbag. In recent years, defective airbags have been recalled due to deploying with excessive force or even exploding and sending shrapnel flying.
Liability for Airbag Injuries
When it comes to identifying liability for an airbag injury case, it’s important to determine whether a properly functioning or malfunctioning airbag was involved. If an airbag malfunctioned due to a defect in design or manufacturing, then there could be grounds for product liability against either or both parties responsible for this defect (e.g., car manufacturer and/or parts manufacturer).
Alternatively, if an injury occurred due to a properly functioning airbag, then the medical expenses could be sought from either your PIP insurance or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Seeking a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney?
If you have sustained an airbag injury, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible to pursue the compensation you deserve. The experienced attorneys at Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. can provide the representation you need to ensure that all liable parties are held accountable for their negligence. Contact us today at (954) 467-8800 or fill out our form online for a free case evaluation.
