Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident
If a car accident takes place, a vehicle’s airbags are supposed to prevent serious injuries from occurring by cushioning the impact between a victim and the steering column or windshield. Unfortunately, not all airbags work as they are supposed to in accidents; airbag defects and malfunctions can lead to serious injuries or even cause automobile accidents. As an injured victim, speak with a Los Angeles car accident attorney to find out if you may be able to recover financial compensation for an airbag injury in California.
Common Examples of Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident
An airbag deploys at rapid speeds of around 8 to 16 miles per hour. When the inflated bag strikes a driver or vehicle passenger, the force of the impact can inflict injuries to the areas of the body hit. This can include the face, head, neck, chest and torso.
An airbag can cause various injuries, including:
- Head, skull and brain injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries or disfigurement
- Amputation (loss of limb)
- Nose or cheekbone fractures
- Broken teeth
- Chemical burns or skin irritation
- Eye irritation or loss of vision
- Hearing damage or tinnitus
- Chest injuries
- Broken ribs or bone fracture injuries
- Organ damage
The type and severity of an airbag injury will depend on the specific factors of the case, such as the speed of the collision and the position of the victim within the vehicle. Sitting closer to the airbag increases the risk of injury. Serious airbag injuries could potentially affect a victim for life.
Who Pays for Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident?
California uses a fault-based law to determine liability, or financial responsibility, for automobile accident injuries. This means you must understand who is at fault for your airbag injuries before you can file a claim in pursuit of financial compensation. The party you can hold liable for an airbag injury will depend on the cause of the harm.
The driver at fault for your car accident can be held liable for all injuries you sustained – including injuries caused by an airbag or seat belt. As long as your injuries were caused by the vehicle crash, the driver at fault can be made to pay. Speeding, breaking traffic laws, running red lights, distracted driving and drunk driving are examples of mistakes that can make a driver liable for a crash victim’s airbag injuries.
Airbag Injury After a Car Accident?
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Defective Airbags and Personal Injury Claims
Some airbag injuries are caused by airbag defects or malfunctions rather than the natural result of the airbag functioning correctly in a motor vehicle accident. Common issues include:
- Random deployment
- Deploying too forcefully
- Failing to deploy in a car accident
- Sensor malfunctions
- Incorrect airbag installation
- Airbag explosions
If an investigation finds that the airbag manufacturer or part distributor is responsible for an airbag failing to work correctly and injuring you, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the liable party.
How a Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles Can Help
If an airbag caused your injuries rather than preventing them, you may be entitled to financial compensation through one or multiple types of personal injury claims. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles can make it easier to receive the compensation you need from one or more parties.
A lawyer can give you advice and guidance as you seek the case results you need to heal, recover and move on from an airbag injury. For a free case review regarding airbag injuries, contact a personal injury attorney at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP.