Although airbags are important life-saving devices, they can also be the cause of some car accident injuries, particularly in young children and the elderly. If you sustain an airbag injury of any type, you may qualify for financial compensation for your related costs.
Chest and Abdominal Injuries
An airbag is designed to strike the vehicle occupant’s chest and midriff upon deployment to prevent impact with harder vehicle components, such as the steering column or windshield. It works in conjunction with a seat belt to keep the occupant in the ideal position for impact.
Unfortunately, the strength with which an airbag strikes a victim’s chest could cause localized injuries, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as small children, the elderly and those with disabilities. Examples include rib fractures, lung injuries, collarbone or clavicle injuries, internal injuries, organ damage, and abdominal injuries.
Facial Injuries
The deployment of an airbag in a car accident occurs at great speed and velocity. When a deploying airbag strikes the face of a vehicle occupant, it can happen with enough force to cause facial injuries. Common examples are bruises, a broken nose, cheekbone fractures, eye injuries, loss of vision and broken teeth.
Concussions
The impact of an airbag against the face and skull can also cause head and brain injuries, such as a concussion. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even though it is typically a mild injury, a concussion can still cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion and cognitive changes.
Whiplash
The whipping or jerking motion of a crash victim’s head and neck due to airbag deployment can stretch, tear and injure the soft tissues of the neck. This can lead to a common neck injury known as whiplash. Whiplash can cause pain, discomfort, trouble moving, stiffness, and a tingling sensation in the neck, shoulders and arms. It may last two to six weeks or longer.
Common Injuries From Airbag Deployment
Back Injuries
Damage to a person’s neck, back or spinal cord can also arise due to airbag deployment. Common back injuries from airbags include slipped or ruptured disks (herniation), soft-tissue damage, cervical spine injuries, dislocations, and vertebral fractures. In severe cases, catastrophic spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis can occur, especially if the victim was a child or sitting too close to the airbag.
Chemical Burns
Split-second airbag deployment is possible due to a chemical reaction that occurs when the airbag sensor is triggered. However, the release of these chemicals, powders and substances into the cab of a vehicle can cause adverse health reactions. Examples include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, chemical burns, eye irritation, skin rashes and asthmatic complications.
Unique Cases: Defective Airbags
In some cases, injuries from airbags are due to product defects. Defective and dangerous airbags may deploy without reason, deploy too late or even explode upon deployment, such as the Takata airbag recall. These defects can lead to severe injuries, including burns, lacerations, brain injuries, face and eye injuries, hearing loss, and blast damage. Defective airbags have been known to take lives.
Seeking Compensation for Your Airbag Deployment Injuries
If you suffer an injury from the deployment of an airbag in a car accident, speak with the Riverside car accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers about your legal rights and financial recovery opportunities. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost income, and beyond. We offer free case reviews and don’t charge until we win the case.