Airbag Related Injuries in a St. Louis Car Accident

Air bags are meant to minimize the injuries drivers and passengers suffer in the event of an automobile accident.

However, even the airbag itself can cause injuries. This is because when deployed, airbags come out of the dashboard at a very high speed and may be hot and covered with dust and other chemicals. In this post, we will discuss things that can go wrong when an airbag deploys and how victims can make a claim for airbag injuries.

How Can an Airbag Cause Injuries?

A large number of airbag injuries are caused by the malfunction of the crash sensor. It may malfunction and deploy the airbag at a delayed or incorrect time. In all such scenarios, the driver and the passenger can suffer serious injuries.

Common Airbag-Related Injuries

Air bag related injuries are not uncommon. A malfunctioning crash sensor or any deployment of the airbag can cause serious injuries and even death. Here are some common scenarios in which airbag related injuries can occur:

• The speed at which the airbag deploys can lead to injuries such as burns or abrasions
• When the airbag is deployed, it releases chemicals that can irritate the respiratory system, or even lead to an asthma attack
• If the air bag hits someone in the eye, it can lead to serious injuries

It is important to note that even normal airbag deployment can cause severe injuries and even death, if the head of the driver or passenger is too close to the airbag at the time of deployment. In such cases, the force of deployment can cause serious injuries. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers should maintain a distance of at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.

Recovering Compensation

If you have suffered an injury because of a malfunctioning airbag, you may have a personal injury claim. For a successful claim, the injured person would need to prove that somebody’s negligence caused the injury. Simply being injured by an airbag does not mean you necessarily have a personal injury claim.

The potential defendants in a personal injury claim involving airbag related injuries are:

• The air bag manufacturer
• The automobile manufacturer
• The person or party responsible for inspecting, maintaining, or replacing the airbag after purchase
• A negligent driver

If you have suffered any airbag related injury, the first thing you should do is preserve all important equipment, and do not throw away any part of the airbag. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You attorney will be able to review your claim and help you collect all evidence needed to prove you case.