Frontal airbags have saved more than 50,000 lives over the last 30 years. They’re designed to reduce your risk of injury in moderate-to-severe car crashes. Protecting your upper body and head from hitting your car’s steering column, an airbag works in conjunction with your seat belt to offer you additional protection, but they don’t ensure you’ll walk away injury-free from an accident every time.
The facts about airbags
Frontal airbags have been available in cars since the late 1990’s. They’re triggered during an accident where your car crashes with a force that’s equal to hitting a solid wall at between 8-16 miles per hour. The airbag fills with a harmless gas so it can quickly inflate to cushion your body and reduce the risk of serious injury. It then deflates just as fast, having done its job of absorbing as much of the impact as possible.
Side airbags work in the same way, but are triggered at different speeds based on impact. Deployment occurs when your car is hit at a force between 8-18 miles per hour based on how widely distributed the impact is. Side airbags can deploy when hit head-on, but won’t always do so.
Here are some common questions around airbags answered:
How fast does an airbag deploy?
Airbags deploy between 20-30 milliseconds.
At what speed does an airbag deploy?
Because they inflate so quickly, airbags pop out at around 200 miles per hour.
Is side airbag deployment speed the same?
Side airbags deploy within a similar timeframe, but at a slower speed.
At what speed do airbags deploy when hit from behind?
Frontal airbags typically don’t deploy during a rear-end car crash, but if it’s severe enough, the sensor on the airbag could be triggered. If so, it deploys at the same rate as when hit head-on.
Why is there a risk of injury from an airbag deploying?
How close you sit to the steering wheel can have an impact on whether or not you get injured during an airbag deployment. Sitting too close can be dangerous.
If I have an airbag, do I need to wear my seatbelt to keep me safe?
Airbags are not a safety substitute for wearing your seatbelt. Airbags actually work in tandem with your seatbelt which is why it’s so important you always put it on when in the car.
What do I do after my airbag deploys?
Airbags can only be used once. After they deploy, you’ll need to have a new one installed by an authorized repair center before you can drive your car again.
Potential injuries related to airbag deployment
Although an airbag can potentially save your life during a car accident, they can also cause injuries ranging from little bruises to more serious issues.
The most common types or airbag deployment injuries include:
- Cuts and bruising on the face and surrounding soft tissue
- Skin irritation and burns
- Eye injuries
- Neck stiffness and pain (usually from whiplash)
- Pain or discomfort when breathing
- Brain injuries that typically manifest as persistent headaches or dizziness
- Concussion
- Fractures
- Abdominal pain
You can minimize the risk on your end for these injuries by ensuring your chest is at least 10 inches away from the steering column and that you always wear your seatbelt.
Compensation for airbag deployment injuries after a car accident
It is possible to get compensation for car accident injuries caused by your airbag deploying, but it’s not guaranteed.
You’ll need evidence to support your claim that the at-fault driver should be liable for your airbag-related injuries that occurred as a result of the accident. A skilled car accident attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to support your claim and advise you on the best next steps for your case. To help support their efforts, take a lot of pictures at the time of the accident if you can. Make sure you capture the deployed airbags in your images. You should also consult a doctor as soon as possible to assess and document your injuries.
What happens if my airbag doesn’t deploy?
Although airbags have the potential to harm you when they deploy correctly, airbags that malfunction present a whole other set of issues. In addition to more serious injury, if your airbags didn’t deploy in an accident, you may have a claim to sue the airbag manufacturer or whoever installed it in your car.
The crash sensors could also be the culprit in this type of malfunction, allowing you to potentially make a claim against them as well.
Make sure to photograph the accident if you’re able, and document that your airbag didn’t deploy. This information should be a part of the accident report taken by the police when they arrive on the scene as well. Seek medical attention as soon as possible to obtain care and establish a record of your injuries.
If your airbag doesn’t deploy in an accident, turning to a qualified legal team before your car gets repaired will help ensure a thorough investigation, enabling you to request damages from the right parties.
The legal support you need for airbag-related injuries
Filling for damages after airbag-related injuries isn’t easy. In order to get the compensation you deserve from the parties truly at fault, seek legal help. The team at Watson Injury Law has the right experience to help gather evidence and craft your case — taking the stress off your plate so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation.