Airbag Injury
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, frontal airbags have been mandatory in passenger cars since 1998 and in SUVs, pickups, and vans since model year 1999. Now, many vehicles come with side airbags either as a standard feature or as a possible upgrade. While airbags, along with seatbelts, have been attributed with saving over 50,000 lives since they first were introduced, they can also cause injuries to vehicle occupants. If you or a loved one has suffered an airbag injury, it is important that you consult with our firm to determine if you have a personal injury case.
Airbag Malfunctions
There are three common ways an airbag can malfunction and cause injury. First, if the vehicle is involved in a collision and the airbag does not deploy as intended, leading the driver and passenger to suffer more severe injuries. It is also possible for an airbag to deploy when there is no collision. Sometimes a small bump in the road is enough to activate a malfunctioning airbag. Finally, airbags are filled with a gas, and if that gas leaks out it can cause burns. Medscape reported that in about seven percent of cases, air bags releasing high temperature nitrogen and carbon dioxide cause dermatologic injuries such as traumatic lesions, irritant dermatitis, and chemical and thermal burns. Other injuries the airbags are known to cause include:
- Head trauma;
- Abrasion to the face, upper body, and limbs;
- Fetal trauma;
- Facial fractures;
- Damage to internal organs;
- Eye injuries; and even
- Death.
What to Do After an Airbag Malfunctions
If you have been injured during a collision where the airbag did not deploy or from an airbag that deployed when there was no crash, the first step you should take is to seek medical attention. Next, make sure that the car is preserved, as it will be evidence in your legal case. At this point, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the rest of the legal process.
Safety Tips To Minimize the Risk of Airbag Injuries
To reduce the chances of being injured by a frontal airbag, it is recommended that a driver sits at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel and all occupants wear the seatbelts. If a car has ever been in a minor accident it is worth getting the airbags inspected to make sure they are still functional and if they have ever been deployed, it is critical that they are replaced prior to using the car again. Finally, young children under the age of twelve should still sit in the backseat away from frontal airbags.
Let Us Help You Today
The Tampa airbag injury attorneys at the office of Mark H. Wright, PLLC understand how a sudden and severe injury can overwhelm a victim. Suddenly, instead of going to work and spending time with your family you are navigating the healthcare system and dealing with the financial burden of paying for treatment. We can help you by evaluating what your airbag injury case is worth, compiling evidence, and submitting a personal injury claim on your behalf so that you will be appropriately compensated for what you have been through. Contact us today at 813-425-2020 to schedule your free consultation.
