If you suffered severe injuries because your airbag did not deploy during a crash, then you may be able to sue the airbag manufacturer and car manufacturer. There are also other liable parties. You will need to contact a car accident attorney if you are interested in getting compensation for your injuries. The attorney can collect evidence, identify all of the liable parties and walk you through the process of filing a claim.
How Are Airbags Supposed to Work?
Airbags are supposed to work along with your seat belts. However, they are not designed to be a replacement for your seat belts. The airbags can prevent you from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield if you are involved in a head-on collision. Both side-impact and frontal airbags are designed to deploy if the accident is moderate or severe. They may also deploy if one is involved in a minor car accident.
A driver-side airbag is designed to ignite and inflate in just 20 to 30 milliseconds. The passenger airbag is designed to ignite and inflate in just 30 to 40 milliseconds. The airbag deflates after it deploys in order to prevent a person from suffocating.
There is no guarantee that you will not get hurt if an airbag deploys. However, the chance of injury is lower because the airbag is designed to reduce the impact of the crash.
Why do Airbags Fail to Deploy?
There are several things that can prevent an airbag from deploying. It is important to note that an airbag will not deploy in every accident. An airbag may fail to deploy for one of the following reasons.
- The accident was not severe enough to cause the airbag to ignite and inflate. For example, the airbag will not deploy if the accident is a simple fender-bender. A seat belt will provide you with enough protection if the accident is minor.
- The airbag may detect that the person is a child or has a small body frame. It may also detect that there is not a person in the seat. Some systems will automatically turn off the airbag if this occurs.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that you have your airbag replaced after it deploys. If you have a used car, then the airbag may have never been replaced.
Ways That Airbags Can Malfunction
- The airbag may not deploy.
- The airbag may accidentally deploy.
- The airbag may deploy too aggressively.
- Your car does not have any side airbags, or the airbags are not sufficient.
- The airbag deploys too late.
Getting Compensated For Your Injuries
If you have been injured in an accident because your airbag failed to deploy, then you will need to contact a car accident attorney. Your attorney can make sure that you get compensated for the following.
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Ongoing care
- Pain and suffering
- Any additional out-of-pocket expenses that you may incur due to the accident
If you contact us, then you will be able to get a case evaluation. We will determine what caused your airbag to not deploy. We can also help you pursue legal action against the responsible parties.
The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we will be able to start working on your case. You will be able to reach our offices at one of the following numbers.
Arlington (817) 522-4451
Dallas (972) 362-6848
Fort Worth (817) 764-1375
Plano (972) 354-4602
Cedar Hill (972) 338-9427
McKinney (469) 522-3688
Lewisville (972) 354-4605
Frisco (972) 725-7681
Grapevine (817) 835-8677
Irving (972) 354-4610
Keller (817) 204-0904
Garland (214) 572-2251
Denton (940) 222-4060
Addison (972) 564-8108
You can also contact us online by using our quick contact form.
