 When you think about the devastating, even deadly, effects of an auto accident, you probably don’t give much thought to airbags, other than hoping that they work as advertised. In truth, airbag injury is a very real danger in a car wreck, albeit a more desirable one than the potential alternatives.
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Airbags are deployed in a fraction of a second under specific physical circumstances to prevent head or chest injury in a collision. For the bag to inflate as quickly as necessary to protect you in a crash, high pressure gas must be used. The bag itself is made from coarse, tightly-woven material to withstand that high-pressure gas. Together with the force of physics involved in a collision, the airbag serves to keep you alive but can cause some injury in the process.
In an auto collision involving airbags it is not uncommon for the driver and passengers to sustain injury from the bags themselves. Chemicals in the airbags can cause burning, the bag causes abrasions, and the force itself is sufficient to cause head trauma, chest injury, or more. Consider that an airbag is designed to slow your body’s forward acceleration from a speed of 30 mph or more to zero in a matter of seconds, and you can see how an airbag injury is no small thing.
The effects of an airbag injury may include headache, chest pain, burning facial skin or forearms. Your eyes may become irritated from the chemicals in the airbag, with tearing or a burning sensation. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication and your skin may require treatment with an ointment to reduce swelling and redness.
If these symptoms are severe or worsen, you should seek medical attention immediately. You should also watch for signs of drowsiness, disorientation, or other potential indicators of concussion.
The impact of an airbag during a collision can cause serious injury including neck and soft tissue injury, TMJ, spinal fracture, even cardiac problems. It’s important that you continue follow-up care with your physician to check for signs that you have sustained any additional injury or worsening symptoms.
Your body experiences incredible g-forces externally and internally, which can dislocate, bruise, and damage organs in ways that may not be noticeable initially. Even if you have had no other injuries, your airbag injuries alone warrant close medical attention.
When you’ve been in an automobile accident, you may not be aware until much later the extent of your injuries. The impact of a collision severe enough to deploy your vehicle’s airbags is severe enough to cause very serious injury, even by the airbags themselves. Be thankful it wasn’t worse, but be certain that it doesn’t get worse, too.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you receive full compensation for your injuries, loss of income, and other damages. In Tulsa, McAlester, or anywhere in East Oklahoma, contact the personal injury experts who will fight for you, and schedule a free consultation. We care. We fight. We win!
Last updated Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
