Image of deflated steering wheel airbag Accident Lawyer, Indianapolis, INAirbag Accident Attorney Indianapolis, IN

We all know that car airbags save lives. But when airbags don’t function properly during a car accident, they can also cause injuries. Typical airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. With that kind of powerful velocity, airbag injuries can happen. It’s important to understand what types of injuries you can suffer from if your airbag malfunctions, and also know your legal rights in the event that an airbag deploying (or failing to deploy) causes you injuries.

Airbag Malfunction Lawyers

If you’ve recently been involved in an accident in which you were injured, please connect with an experienced Indianapolis, Indiana airbag accident attorney today. The legal team of airbag malfunction lawyers Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm can help you preserve evidence and explore your legal options so that you can make an informed decision that is best for you. 

How Do Airbags and Seat Belts Keep You Safe?

Airbags work in conjunction with your seatbelt to keep you secure in the event of an auto collision. When vehicles collide, the laws of motion come into play. For example, when your car stops suddenly, your body will propel forward. And while your seatbelt ensures that you don’t go flying through the windshield, the airbags cushion your body from the violent motion that occurs in a crash.

What Causes Airbags to Inflate?

Most modern cars have a special sensor that detects an impact. Your airbag shouldn’t inflate simply because you slam on your brakes. An airbag that functions properly and is installed correctly, MUST deploy on impact. Although when the impact is minor or at low speed, airbags will not be set off. But on the other hand, if the impact’s force is equal to or greater than that of crashing into a concrete wall at 10 to 15 miles per hour, the sensors will signal your car’s inflation system. The airbags will inflate swiftly and then rapidly deflate so that they do not limit your movement or vision.

All of this happens in about 1/25 of a second. But “if they are faulty, they won’t inflate properly, which causes motorists and passengers to absorb the force of the collision by hitting steering wheels, dashboards, etcetera,” says airbag accident attorney, Charlie Ward.

How Can Airbags Cause Injuries?

A common factor among car airbag injuries is how close they were to the device when it was deployed. For example, suppose you are two to three inches away from the airbag when it deploys. In that case, you may be hit with enough force to cause serious injury. But whether airbags cause harm due to inflation or failure to inflate, an experienced Indianapolis, IN airbag accident attorney will review the evidence and medical reports to determine fault.

What Are Common Types of Airbag Injuries?

Many factors can influence the type of injury you can suffer from an airbag, including the airbag design and location, the speed of deployment, what chemicals are inside, and how close you were to the airbag. Potential injuries from an airbag can include:

  • Upper body abrasions, including to your chest, arms, and face
  • Burns on your upper body, including your chest, hands, and arms
  • Fractures to the arms, rib cage, face, and skull
  • Heart muscle rupture
  • Impact to the cervical spine
  • Asthma attack
  • Eye and ear injuries and traumas
  • Sprained wrist

These injuries can require significant medical care. Working with an experienced Indianapolis, IN airbag accident attorney can help to ensure that you have access to compensation that will reimburse you for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses. 

Should I Contact an Attorney if I Suffered an Airbag Injury?

You bet! If you were involved in a car accident and suffered injuries from an airbag or because of airbag failure, contact a Car Accident lawyer Indianapolis, IN immediately. Experienced legal guidance can help you to navigate the murky waters of your claim and get you the compensation that you deserve.

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