Every year, millions of vehicles are recalled due to manufacturing airbags defects. These errors pose a significant risk of car crashes, which can result in injuries, fatalities, and costly damages.
One notable concern related to car crashes is airbag injuries, which can be severe and may occur for various reasons. This article will discuss common airbag defects and the legal options available for victims.
How do Airbags Work?
Cars come equipped with sensors that can detect a collision. When an accident happens, these sensors send an electrical signal that triggers a chemical reaction. The reaction will occur in the blink of an eye, producing a gas inflating the airbags.
Airbags have been around since the ’70s and have been required by law in the United States since the ’90s. Different manufacturers use different airbag chemicals and sensors, but the mechanism is the same.
Common Airbag Defects
Errors can occur at any point in the airbag inflation process:
- Sensors could be defective, fail to detect a collision, or send a signal on time.
- The electrical components that send the signal could have a loose connection or could be damaged, failing to work properly.
- The chemical reaction that triggers the airbags could fail or cause an unexpectedly strong explosion, injuring passengers.
- The airbags themselves could be defective, failing to inflate properly, causing the passengers to be injured in an accident.
- The airbags could inflate when there has not been an accident, causing injury to the passengers.
Common Airbag Injuries
- Airbags, while designed to protect, can also cause severe injuries, including respiratory disorders and fractures. The chemicals used to inflate the airbag could cause lung disorders in some people, and the force of the airbag can lead to fractured bones in the face or chest. Flying shrapnel from the steering wheel or the dashboard could impale people.
- Defective airbags can also cause concussions, which can lead to death in the worst case or cause behavioral or motor issues in people. People’s eyes can also be damaged by the impact, leading to blindness or other eye disorders.
- Physical injury resulting from malfunctioning airbags can cause people a lot of pain and prevent them from going to work or carrying out daily tasks. People can sue for compensation for these losses. It can take a while to recover from such injuries, or people could end up with permanent disabilities, which can change the course of their lives.
Legal options
If an airbag malfunctions or fails to protect passengers in an accident, the manufacturer can be held accountable through a product liability claim. Victims must know their options and win compensation for their medical bills. You should hire a competent lawyer to help you file the claim, as taking on car manufacturers and insurance providers on your own can be difficult.
It is essential to preserve the airbag and the other parts of the car that malfunctioned, including the sensors and electrical connectors. Do not let the insurance provider take away your vehicle. These parts are critical to filing a defective product claim, as you must prove that something went wrong.
Car manufacturers have a responsibility to their consumers to adequately test their safety devices and ensure the manufacturing process is error-free. Failing to do so could lead to serious injury or even death and is punishable by law.
To conclude, airbags are a critical component of your car and have been required since the 1990s. If your car’s airbag fails to deploy correctly or deploys when it shouldn’t, leading to injuries, you can sue the manufacturer. It’s important to have the assistance of a good lawyer, as they can help you fight for your compensation and hold the liable party accountable.
