Airbags are a crucial safety feature in any car. When one gets into an accident, these airbags fill up with air in just a fraction of a second. This prevents you from hitting hard parts of the car, like the dashboard or steering wheel, which could injure you badly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags were responsible for saving more than 50,000 lives from 1987 to 2017.
However, when airbags don’t work as intended, they can cause more harm than good. In some cases, it may even lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
How do airbags cause injury?
Defective airbags often lead to worsened injuries in an accident in two ways:
- When airbags don’t pop out at all during a car wreck: This can happen if something goes wrong with the sensors that tell the airbag to inflate. If the sensors break or if the wires connecting them are faulty, the airbag might not work when you need it most.
- When airbags inflate too forcefully or deploy unexpectedly: This can be just as dangerous as an airbag not working at all, especially in minor accidents. The airbag’s strong force might cause more harm than the car wreck itself. Mistakes made during the airbag’s construction or incorrect installation in the car can lead to these problems.
In both cases, these malfunctions can cause a range of injuries, from facial abrasions to traumatic brain injuries. The rapid deployment of an airbag can also lead to chemical burns and contusions. In severe cases, these injuries may be life-threatening.
Who may be liable for your injuries?
When airbags malfunction during a car wreck and cause severe injuries, you may file a claim against other parties aside from the at-fault driver. This can include:
- The airbag manufacturer, if something went wrong during the design or production of the airbag
- Auto service providers, if they do not install or repair the airbag system correctly
In Georgia, the law looks at product liability in two main ways: strict liability and negligence. Under strict liability, victims do not need to prove that anyone was at fault or did something wrong. Instead, they only need to show that the airbag was defective and that this defect caused their injuries.
Cases like these can be complex. If you or a loved one has been in a car wreck that involved airbag issues, it’s wise to consult with an attorney.