California Airbag Injuries

In serious collisions, frontal and/or side-impact airbags deploy to evenly distribute the force of impact and prevent passengers from being thrown into the vehicle dash, steering column, or windows. As a result, airbags save roughly 3,000 lives every year.

Not surprisingly, frontal airbags have been required in all American-sold cars since 1998.

However, airbags can also cause harm, especially when vehicle occupants are young children, disabled, or elderly.

How Can Airbags Cause Injuries in California Car Accidents?

Airbags must deploy quickly to be effective and protect vehicle occupants. When there’s a collision at speeds greater than 10 to 12 MPH, a sensor detects the rapid change in velocity and sends a signal to the airbag system. This signal prompts the system to ignite a small flame, produce nitrogen or argon gas, and rapidly fill the airbag. As the airbag fills, it expands into the vehicle cabin and cushions the driver and/or passenger.

All of this happens in less than 1/20th of a second.

For it to happen this quickly, it must happen with great force. According to the Washington Post, airbags can deploy at speeds of 200 MPH and occupants can be hit with up to 2,600 pounds of force.

Force of this magnitude can cause serious physical injuries, including:

• Broken bones and fractures, particularly to the face, neck, and hands
• Contusions and bruising
• Burn injuries
• Eye injuries, including blindness
• Chest injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Crush injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Airbags can also cause injuries if they’re defective. There have been situations where airbags deploy spontaneously and/or explode due to design defects. When airbags don’t operate as intended, occupants are susceptible to catastrophic injuries, including life-threatening burns.

How Can I Recover Compensation For Airbag Injuries After a Crash in California?

When a driver causes an accident in California, they can be liable for all resulting damages - including those inflicted by vehicle airbags. After all, the airbags were only deployed because of the collision.

Pursuant to California law, you’ll have the right to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. Benefits can be awarded up to the applicable policy limits, which must satisfy California insurance minimums.

If the costs of your airbag injuries exceed what the driver’s insurance company will pay, you can seek additional compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, disability, and emotional distress through a car accident lawsuit.

If you’ve been injured by defective airbags, you have the right to sue the manufacturer. In California, car manufacturers can be strictly liable for vehicle defects, including faulty airbags. As a result, you’ll only have to prove that the airbags were defective and caused harm, not that the manufacturer was negligent in any way.

Don’t worry about how to recover compensation for your car accident airbag injuries in California. Focus on your recovery and trust Singleton Schreiber to be your fearless advocate. Our San Diego, California car accident lawyers will investigate your crash, gather critical pieces of evidence, work closely with trusted experts, and construct a compelling legal claim that helps you not only win your case, but maximize your recovery.

We advocate for clients across the state of California, so reach out to one of our law offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, or Santa Rosa to set a time for a free  consultation with our award-winning team today.