Airbag Injury Lawyer in Hollywood FL

Man Injured From Airbag After Car Accident

Airbags have saved more than 50,000 lives over 30 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Though an incredibly valuable safety feature, these devices can injure people when they deploy, even when working correctly.

When airbags malfunction, they can prove deadly, as documented in the Takata airbag recall. One NHTSA study found that 284 people died from airbag injuries from 1990 to 2007.

If you were injured by an airbag that either worked correctly or malfunctioned, you could have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. The Hollywood, FL, airbag injury lawyers at Rosen & Ohr, P.A., have been helping accident victims seek justice and financial recovery for over 45 years. Let us take the burden off your shoulders.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

How Airbags Work and How They Malfunction

Because car accidents happen in seconds, airbags need to deploy even faster and then deflate before suffocating the driver or passengers. An airbag activates when a sensor in a car detects an accident, and the sensor is triggered using information like a car’s speed and the impact location.

Once the crash sensor has been activated, it triggers a mechanism that releases gas into the airbag. This gas is usually nitrogen or argon, and it needs to fill the bag quickly enough to prevent the driver and passengers from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard interior surfaces.

This entire process takes place in about 1/20th of a second, or at about 200 mph! It has to happen this quickly because it only takes a second for a driver or passenger to hit the interior of a car after impact.

After performing its protective role, the airbag begins to deflate within a few seconds, ensuring that no one is trapped between it and their seat. It’s worth noting that the chemicals used during deployment may linger momentarily, which might cause slight discomfort to the eyes or skin.

Undoubtedly, an airbag can save your life. However, airbags can also malfunction in several ways, such as:

  • The airbag sensor is damaged or doesn’t register a crash, meaning the airbag does not deploy.
  • The airbag does not deploy in time to prevent injuries to the driver or passengers.
  • One airbag deploys, and the other does not, potentially causing a driver or passenger to sustain serious injuries.
  • The airbag deploys when no collision has occurred, for example, when crossing railroad tracks or on rough road surfaces.
  • The airbag deploys in a low-impact collision when it may not be needed.
  • The airbag does not deflate quickly enough or does not deflate at all, making it difficult for drivers and passengers to breathe.
  • The airbag or its components explode, causing shrapnel to fly through the vehicle’s cabin.

Most Common Injuries Associated with Airbag Deployment

Generally speaking, the injuries from an airbag deployment are less severe than whatever injuries someone might have sustained if the airbag didn’t deploy. Nevertheless, deployed airbags can still cause serious consequences, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • External injuries to the head and face
  • Dental damage
  • Injuries to internal organs due to pressure on the upper body
  • Broken bones, particularly the ribs and arm bones
  • Burns
  • Lacerations and abrasions
  • Hearing loss
  • Hand injuries, such as sprains or broken bones in the fingers or wrist

How Airbags Injuries Occur in Motor-Vehicle Accidents

Airbag injuries can occur during an accident even if the airbag works precisely as intended. Airbag injuries are typically due to one of the following reasons:

  • The driver or passenger collides with the airbag. An airbag is supposed to absorb much of the force from an accident, but occupants still hit the airbag at high speeds. Young children and adults with small frames can sustain significant injuries from the force of colliding with an airbag. That is one reason why children aged 13 and under should ride in the back seat.
  • The airbag does not deploy when it is supposed to. If an airbag does not deploy in a high-speed accident, anyone in the vehicle could sustain a violent impact on the steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of a car’s interior. Damaged sensors or defective propellants commonly cause airbag deployment failures. These issues can lead to severe, potentially fatal injuries, especially if someone inside the car hits their head.
  • The airbag does deploy, but not when it is supposed to. In certain cases, an airbag can deploy when it is not supposed to and injure someone. Drivers and passengers may not have a chance to brace themselves and prepare for the airbag’s deployment. If the airbag presses up against someone’s chest, they could sustain significant injuries. An unnecessary airbag deployment could actually cause a crash that results in other injuries.
  • The airbags deploy too late. If an airbag deploys too late, it will deploy directly into a driver or passenger instead of cushioning them from the crash’s impact. When the airbag deploys in situations like this, it can cause serious injuries.
  • The airbags explode when deployed. This issue is relatively rare, but it has happened. Exploding airbags were the main reason behind the massive recall of Takata airbags, which were installed in millions of vehicles worldwide and caused many injuries and fatalities.

What Should I Do If I’ve Suffered Airbag Injuries in Hollywood, FL?

Here’s what you need to do if you have been in an accident and injured by an airbag:

  1. Call 911 / Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
  2. Take pictures of your injuries, the airbag, any damage to your vehicle, and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
  3. Talk to an airbag injury lawyer as soon as you can.
  4. Preserve your vehicle – Do not fix it until it has been examined by experts.
  5. Save your medical records and other evidence of injuries you have sustained.
  6. Don’t post about the accident on social media.
  7. Do not give any formal statements to any insurance companies without first consulting with a lawyer.

Recovering Damages for Airbag Injuries

If the airbag worked as intended, but you were still injured, you can file a claim against the driver who is at fault for the accident. You may also be able to pursue an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim depending on the facts.

If a defective airbag injured you, you could file a lawsuit against the company that made the airbag. Product liability claims can be intricate, so we recommend getting help from an experienced car accident attorney.

Regardless of which option applies to your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Talk to Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Hollywood FL Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Hollywood, Florida, due to a defective, dangerous, or improperly deployed airbag, please contact the experienced airbag injury attorneys at Rosen & Ohr, P.A. today.

We provide free, confidential consultations and want to help victims pursue fair compensation in these extremely difficult times. Our legal team understands these complex cases and is here to help you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to call or contact us online to schedule a free case review.

x