Since the 1990s, motor vehicles have been equipped with airbags to help prevent serious injuries or death in the event of a collision. And the data is clear—airbags save lives. However, they are not foolproof. A defective airbag can malfunction, causing serious injuries to drivers and passengers.

How Do Airbags Work?

Modern vehicles are equipped with multiple airbags in various configurations that are designed to protect drivers and passengers during an impact. When the vehicle’s crash sensors detect a collision, they trigger an igniter that releases a gas, inflating the airbag in approximately 1/20th of a second. The airbag then deflates quickly, potentially releasing chemical dust and powder. When an airbag malfunctions, improper deployment can cause serious, debilitating injuries.

Types of Airbag Malfunctions

Like any other part of a motor vehicle, an airbag can malfunction, causing serious injuries to the driver and passengers. Common airbag malfunctions include:

• An airbag that deploys with too much force, causing burns and other injuries to the face, head, neck, arms, and upper extremities.
• An airbag that does not deploy fast enough, allowing the motorist to be thrown forward and be too close to the airbag when it does deploy. This can cause broken ribs and injuries to the head, neck, and other parts of the body.
• An airbag that fails to deploy in a collision, causing the motorist to strike the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or other areas of the inside of the vehicle.
• An airbag that deploys in the absence of a collision, particularly while the vehicle is in motion, causing the driver to lose control and crash.

What Are the Most Common Airbag Injuries?

While airbags are designed to save lives, a malfunctioning airbag can cause serious injuries. Common injuries caused by defective airbags include:

• Head and neck injuries. The extreme force of the airbag deploying can cause whiplash and other injuries to the head and neck.
• Traumatic brain injuries. The body’s violent whiplash motion during a crash can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, resulting in traumatic damage to the brain.
• Eye injuries. When the eye area takes the brunt of the force of the airbag deployment, the eye can be damaged, resulting in vision loss and permanent blindness. The powder released when the airbag deploys can cause severe eye irritation.
• Dental injuries. A deploying airbag can chip, crack, break, or loosen teeth, even knocking them out completely.
• Fractures and broken bones. The extreme force of a deploying airbag can break the jaw or damage the upper extremities, wrists, ribs, and collarbones.
• Hearing damage. An igniter creates a small explosion that causes the airbag to deploy. Noise from the igniter can exceed 160 decibels, which is enough to cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss.
• Chemical burns. The chemicals in the airbag and its igniter system can cause second- or third-degree chemical burns to the face, hands, arms, or chest.

What To Do If You Were Injured by a Defective Airbag

Individuals who were injured by an airbag malfunction might be entitled to compensation. The steps you take after an airbag injury can support your recovery and any claim you may need to make.

1. Seek Medical Attention. Contact emergency services as quickly as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Airbag injuries like burns, facial trauma, and broken bones should be taken seriously and treated as quickly as possible.
2. Save the airbag. If possible, save the airbag for inspection and analysis. A personal injury attorney can determine whether the airbag was defective, and it may be needed as evidence to prove your claim.
3. Document the accident. Write down what happened while it is fresh in your mind. Include your position in the vehicle, how the collision occurred, and when and how the airbag deployed.
4. Contact a personal injury attorney. The defective product attorneys at Muth Law, P.C., can evaluate your situation and help you evaluate your options for moving forward.

Contact the Product Defect Lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., Today

If you were seriously injured or a family member or loved one was killed because of a defective airbag, the product defect lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., can help.

Muth Law is located in Ann Arbor and represents clients in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and throughout Michigan. Please contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your truck accident injury matter. Call 734-481-8800 or contact us via e-mail. We look forward to serving your family.