Defective Airbags and the Dangers They Pose to Children
Airbags are designed to save the lives of vehicle passengers in the event of a collision, and they have been significantly successful in doing so since their invention and adoption. Regrettably, airbags can also injure or even kill a person when they are defective or deployed under inappropriate circumstances. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between the years of 1990 and 2006, more than 260 people sustained injuries because of airbags that deployed at low-speed collisions. Many other victims have suffered injuries because of an airbag defect that ranges from a minor chemical burn to serious and irreversible brain damage or death.
If you are a parent, you should know that an airbag, even a well-working one, can result in the death of a young or small child. Children are fragile and their small stature will place them in great danger of a deployed airbag, which can be inflated as fast 200 miles per hour. Because of the dangers and risks, experts recommend that minors under 13 years old not ride in the front seat of a vehicle. California law mandates where an how minors may sit in a car due to this.
How an Airbag Can Lead to a Serious Injury
Although well-functioning airbags save countless lives every year, they can also result in serious bodily injury or death when the airbag malfunctions. Many vehicles are designed with multiple airbags placed around different parts of the interior, and this has the potential to negatively affect young children more than ever.
The following are some common situations in which an airbag can be defective and lead to serious injuries.
The failure to deploy on time – Airbags that do not deploy on time during an accident can leave one exposed to very serious injuries. If a person suffers an auto accident with an airbag that does not deploy, the person can suffer a traumatic brain injury, facial trauma, chest trauma, and deep cuts and abrasions from the impact. These injuries can lead to lifelong complications that include the need for surgery, or even death.
Unexpected or unexpected airbag deployment – Sometimes, an airbag deployment mechanism can be oversensitive, which can lead to an unnecessary airbag deployment. When an airbag deploys during a minor collision, or at other times when not warranted, this could impair the driver’s vision of the road, which could cause a minor accident to become more serious. Airbags deploy with a great deal of force which can lead to their own set of injuries.
Underinflated airbags – An airbag that is not properly installed can sometimes lead to under inflation during an accident. Any person that suffers a serious accident with an airbag that fails to inflate completely can sustain grave injuries. It is like not having an airbag at all.
Exploding airbags – When an airbag bursts when it is deployed, pieces of metal and other fragments could be released causing terrible injuries to those in the vehicle.
Protect Your Rights and Those of Your Family, Hire a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney
An airbag defect case is very complicated and can involve multiple responsible parties. Moreover, airbag defects are often overlooked in a majority of motor vehicle accidents. Because of this, it is critical to seek the legal support of a qualified personal injury attorney who has extensive experience in handling auto accident cases involving defective airbags.
The attorneys at Heiting & Irwin have many years of service helping those who have been injured. If you, your child, or other loved one, sustained an injury because of an ill-working airbag, get the legal support of a proficient attorney today.
