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Airbag accident injuries made headlines when the Takata Corporation, an airbag manufacturer, admitted that over 33 million of its airbags were defective and recalled them. But an airbag doesn’t have to be defective to cause injuries. Although airbags are often lifesavers, they can cause injuries even when they deploy as they should. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective airbag, contact the auto accident lawyers at the law firm of Edwards & Patterson Law in McAlester today.
In a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was found that over 175 car accident fatalities a year happen due to airbag deployment. Many more people were injured by airbags.
When an airbag deploys during a car accident, it will come out of the dashboard at an extremely high speed and may expel parts or chemicals that cause injury to drivers and passengers.
Airbags can cause injuries for several reasons: failure to deploy, faulty deployment, a defect, an exploding bag causes parts to expel, or chemicals and dust that are released during deployment that cause harmful effects. The driver or passenger may not be wearing seatbelts, or children may not be adequately restrained, which also can result in injury.
What Are Common Airbag Injuries?
The most common types of airbag accident injuries that occur include:
- Head and Face – Drivers and passengers should be at least 10 inches away from the airbag for protection. An exploding bag or metal parts can cause severe injuries to the head and face. The force of an airbag can injure the head and face even when it deploys properly.
- Chest – Chest injuries may appear even if the accident was a low-impact crash. Some chest injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Inflation of an airbag can cause rib and sternum fractures. If an individual is too close to the airbag when it inflates, or if the airbag air vent system does not work, this can cause chest injuries.
- Lung Injuries –If a release of chemicals occurs because of airbag expansion, certain byproducts can be inhaled, causing injuries to people with asthma or causing chemical pneumonitis to develop.
- Neck and Soft Tissue Injuries – Airbag deployment can cause injuries to the neck and soft tissue.
- Eye Injuries – Eye injuries can occur due to chemical exposure, burns or lacerations from airbag shrapnel.
- Hearing Loss – In a confined area, airbag explosions may be extremely loud, resulting in ear damage that includes hearing loss, perforation of the eardrum, and tinnitus.
- Chemical Burns –Some caustic chemicals inside an airbag may cause burns if it ruptures.
- Lacerations, Punctures, and Wounds – An airbag explosion can cause the metal frame that holds the airbag to fracture. When this happens, pieces of metal are released that can cause bodily injury.
How Can You Prevent Injuries From Airbags
Certain safety precautions can be followed to help prevent airbag injuries during a car accident, including:
- Always Wear Your Seatbelt. During a car accident, the seat belt will tighten to prevent your head and body from moving forward and hitting the dashboard or steering wheel. This also helps keep you away from the area where an airbag will deploy.
- Sit Far Away from the Steering Wheel and Dashboard. It is essential that drivers and passengers sit as far away from the steering wheel and dashboard as possible. A good rule of thumb is to keep the seat at least 10 inches away from the airbag deployment area.
- Adjust and Hold the Steering Wheel in a Proper Position. Always try to keep an adjustable steering wheel tilted in a parallel position and hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions. It is also advisable to position your thumbs on the top or outside rim, not on the inside.
- Properly Restrain Infants and Children. Infants or children under the age of 1 year should never be in the front seat of a car with a passenger-side airbag. Any children that are 12 years old or younger should always be in the back seat. Young children should always wear a seatbelt or be appropriately restrained in a child restraint or car seat. If there is no alternative to having a child ride in the front seat, move the passenger seat back as far as possible and make sure the child is buckled up.
What Are the Symptoms of an Airbag Injury?
In some instances, airbag injury symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, headaches, tension, or radiating pains may not be felt until days or weeks after the car accident. You may only notice some minor discomfort at first, but it may become much more painful in the future. The impact of an airbag during an accident can also cause neck and soft tissue injury, TMJ, spinal fracture, or heart problems.
Even if you do not feel injured while at the accident scene, it is best to see a doctor right away after a car accident to make sure any hidden injuries receive treatment. If you receive emergency treatment at the accident scene, you should continue follow-up care with your physician.
Can You Sue For Injuries Caused by an Airbag?
A defective or malfunctioning airbag is often the cause of injuries and provides a reasonable basis for a personal injury claim. To win an airbag accident injury case, you must be able to prove the airbag components or parts, or its design caused your injury. This type of case is known as product liability.
If a negligent driver caused the accident that resulted in airbag-related injuries, you may be able to recover compensation from the at-fault driver even if the airbag deployed properly.
Contact our McAlester Airbag Injury Attorneys for Help
At Edwards & Patterson Law, our experienced McAlester car accident lawyers are ready to help you with your airbag accident injury claim. We will work to gather evidence and examine the circumstances that led to your injuries and hold the appropriate parties accountable for all your losses.
We offer free and confidential consultations in the Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma area. Contact us today by phone or online to find out more about your legal options.
