Airbag Defects

Faulty Airbag Injuries

Responsible for saving many lives during motor vehicle accidents, airbags have also caused serious injuries and even deaths. These devices are designed to work in combination with seatbelts to minimize passenger injuries. Some of these injuries include harsh whiplash, partial decapitation, quadriplegia, blindness, broken noses, eye injuries, tooth loss, and death.

These injuries may result from late or overaggressive airbag deployment. Failure to deploy, inadequate consumer warnings or the absence of side or curtain airbags can also cause injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 1990 to 2001, there were more than 200 deaths attributed to airbags inflating in low-severity crashes. Of these, more than half were suffered by children between the ages of 1 and 11 years old. Because of this, parents can now choose to install an "airbag on/off" switch on their vehicle. For information on this feature, call 1-800-424-9393, or visit the NHTSA Web site

Since 1994, airbags have been required in consumer vehicles in some form. During a crash, the airbag, which is hidden in your vehicle's interior, is intended to inflate abruptly and provide a soft cushion for you to land on. However, not all airbags provide that desired "cushiony" feel. Many people who have experienced an airbag deploy compare it to a blow in the face. For children and shorter adults unable to raise their faces above the airbag, the outcome can be broken face bones, head injuries, and even decapitation. Because of this, the law requires all airbags to contain the necessary warnings.

Besides failing to deploy during an accident, a defective airbag may suddenly activate if the driver goes over a bump, or for no detectable reason. This can lead to a distraction that causes the driver to lose control, or knock him or her unconscious and result in an untimely collision.

Also, the gas used to inflate airbags may not be filtered properly, causing dangerous chemicals to escape. This can leave the passenger with severe chemical burns to the face, neck and chest.

While the safety during any accident cannot be guaranteed, here are some steps you can take to reduce your potential risk of injury from an airbag:

• Buckle your seatbelt at all times. Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts.
• Always place an infant in a car seat in the back seat. It is best to use a rear-facing infant seat. Move your seat as far back as possible while still being safe, so there is at least 10 inches between the center of the airbag cover and your breastbone.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward to point to your chest instead of your head and neck.
• Never allow children to ride on laps.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an airbag defect in an automobile accident, contact our knowledgeable lawyers today. We can answer your questions and help you recover the losses to which you are entitled.