When there is an auto crash, the vehicle’s airbag is typically deployed to protect the occupant. Airbags are featured in vehicles to save lives and prevent car accident injuries that would have been otherwise severe, even fatal. However, the airbag’s deployment sometimes injures the car occupant rather than the accident itself.
If an airbag is faulty, many things can go wrong when it deploys, especially in a traffic accident. This article, therefore, looks at the different issues that can arise due to a faulty airbag deployment. Also, we will look at the common associated injuries and how you can obtain compensation if you were injured in Tennessee.
Common Issues With a Faulty Airbag
Many errors are associated with airbag deployment, but the most significant is the malfunctioning crash sensor. If the cash sensor malfunctions, the airbag can either deploy at the wrong time, not deploy fully, or not deploy altogether.
In addition, proximity to the airbag when it deploys can leave the car occupant seriously injured. Regardless of whether the airbag is faulty or not, if the occupant is very close, they can sustain severe or fatal injuries.
As such, the NHTSA admonishes and recommends that drivers and front-seat occupants sit at least ten inches away from the steering wheel. The NHTSA also says that children, who are even more vulnerable to airbag injuries, should sit at the back.
Faulty Bag Injuries: Common Injuries Associated with Airbags
Airbags can cause injuries, whether faulty or not, although the injuries are often more severe. Below are some of the most common injuries that a car occupant can sustain from an airbag deployment:
- Facial injuries: The impact of the airbag against the face can lead to bruising and fractures of the small bone.
- Chest injuries: If the airbag hits the chest, which is very possible, the individual may sustain heart injuries.
- Burns: The driver or front seat occupant may suffer burns on the arms, chest, hands, or face when the airbag’s fabric moves along their skin.
- Fetus injury: If an airbag hits a pregnant woman, their baby might sustain serious injuries.
- Fractures: Airbag deployments can also cause fractures to the skull, ribs, and wrist bones, among others.
- Hearing loss: The victim may suffer ear trauma, which, more often than not, leads to hearing loss.
- Respiratory issues: If the individual has asthma, they may suffer an asthmatic attack due to the chemicals released when an airbag deploys. Even if the individual does not have asthma, they may suffer other respiratory issues because of those chemicals.
- Eye injuries: The pressure of the bag or chemical irritation accompanying the airbag deploying can cause eye injuries.
- Internal bleeding: If there is a forceful impact, it can cause damage to internal organs, leaving internal bleeding.
Conclusion: How to Proceed Legally
If an individual sustained injuries from a malfunctioning airbag in Tennessee, you can file a product liability claim, depending on certain factors. “You have a valid liability claim if the airbag failed to deploy during the crash, if it deployed late, or if the airbag deployed even when there was no crash,” says attorney David Gordon of The Law Offices of David E. Gordon.
In such cases, you can sue your vehicle’s manufacturer, the airbag manufacturer, or whoever inspected, maintained, or replaced the airbag. However, it can be quite a complicated case, especially since it involves different parties, including companies. As such, you will need the help of a competent product liability attorney to increase your chances of a favorable outcome.