Airbags have saved countless lives over the years and are designed to prevent drivers from hitting their heads or bodies on the hard surfaces of the car. Despite being meant to protect you in the event of a collision, they can sometimes cause harm. Defective airbags and airbags that deploy at the wrong time or with too much force can cause injury.
Front airbags have been required in all vehicles since 1998. If you have a newer car, yours is likely to have side airbags as well.
Airbags work incredibly quickly, blowing up in 1/20th of a second. Because of this, they have the potential to cause harm.
The most common serious airbag injuries include facial, chest, neck and back, whiplash, surface injuries, and internal injuries.
Face injuries
Fractures to small bones in the face, a broken nose, and bruising are common face injuries.
Chest
Due to the proximity of the airbag to the chest, the pressure of the airbag may cause injuries to the chest or heart.
Neck and back
The neck and spine may be injured or strained by the airbag’s impact.
Whiplash
When the body jolts back and forth quickly, joints and soft tissues in the neck and shoulder can cause pain and stiffness in these areas.
Surface
Abrasions, contusions, bruises, and burns may be caused due to the speed of the airbag deployment.
Internal injuries
As the gas deflates from the airbag, the deployment releases dust and chemicals in the process which may worsen asthma or cause irritation to your lungs or other organs. The pressure on the abdomen may also cause damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, or heart.
Airbag Injury Attorney in Louisville, KY
If you have been injured in a car accident and believe it was the fault of your car’s airbag, keep the airbag and all parts of the safety system including the crash sensor, and car computer. It could be used later as evidence. You will also want to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can ensure you get the compensation you need. Kaiman & Crahan can assist you following a car crash when medical bills are piling up. Give us a call at (502)771-0741 or fill out a contact form here.