Airbags are a key safety feature in modern cars. They deploy quickly to cushion the human body during a crash, reducing the impact from hard surfaces inside the vehicle. When working properly, airbags help prevent serious injuries and fatalities in accidents by lowering the force on the head, chest, and upper body.
However, airbags can fail more often than many think. If an airbag doesn’t deploy, injuries from a crash can be much worse. Victims may suffer chest injuries, head impacts, broken bones, or internal injuries that could have been avoided. Since these situations can involve complicated technical details and possible blame on the manufacturer, many victims seek help from a car crash attorney to find out what went wrong and who is at fault.
Airbags rely on a system of sensors and electrical parts that must work together. During a crash, sensors detect a sudden stop and send a signal to deploy the airbags. If a sensor has a problem, misjudges the impact, or doesn’t activate at the right time, the whole system may fail. Unlike mechanical systems, electronic parts can fail without any warning until a crash happens.
Electrical issues can also stop the airbags from deploying. Damage to wiring from past repairs, rust, manufacturer mistakes, or software problems can disrupt communication between the crash sensors and the airbag module. Modern airbags depend on software to understand crash conditions, so even a coding mistake or outdated software can prevent the system from working correctly.
Most common causes of failure:
When an airbag fails to deploy, the body absorbs forces that it should cushion. In moderate to severe crashes, this can cause injuries to the chest, head, or face from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or side of the car. Seatbelts alone cannot stop forward movement at high speeds, making the safety system only partly effective. This can lead to concussions, fractures, and internal bleeding.
A failed airbag also increases the risk of additional injuries. For example, if the steering wheel or dashboard bends during a crash, the passenger could suffer crushing injuries. These injuries often require long-term care and can cause permanent disability. The severity of these injuries often indicates a problem with the airbag system.
If an investigation finds that an airbag failed due to a design flaw, manufacturing mistake, or defective part, either the vehicle or airbag manufacturer may be responsible. Design defects are when the airbag system is inherently unsafe, like poorly placed sensors or malfunctioning inflators. Manufacturing defects occur when a normally safe design is made incorrectly.
Manufacturers must test their products carefully before selling them. If they ignore weaknesses or fail to recall known issues, they can be held liable for injuries. Product liability claims often need expert witnesses and documentation to prove that a defect caused the airbag failure.
Airbag systems are complex, and improper repairs can prevent them from working. If a mechanic accidentally disconnects a sensor, uses incompatible parts, or damages wiring, the airbag might not deploy when needed. Tasks like replacing a bumper or fixing electrical systems require careful handling to avoid affecting the airbag system.
If an airbag fails due to careless repairs, the repair shop, dealership, or technician may be responsible. Reviewing maintenance records and service notes can help determine if recent work compromised the system. Many people do not realize that mechanical mistakes can be an issue until an expert examines the vehicle.
Event Data Recorders (EDRs), also known as vehicle black boxes, offer important information about the moments leading up to and during a crash. These devices record details like speed, braking, seatbelt use, and airbag deployment signals. If an airbag does not deploy, EDR data can help determine if the vehicle issued a command to activate the airbag or if it failed to recognize the crash.
This data is vital for figuring out who is at fault. If the system recognized the crash and sent a command to deploy the airbag, the issue probably lies within the airbag itself. If no command was given, then the problem might be with the sensors, software, or electrical connections. It’s crucial to gather this data quickly, as some vehicles erase the recorded information after being driven again.
Insurance companies often challenge claims related to airbag failures. They might say the crash wasn’t serious enough for the airbag to deploy or that the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt correctly. Sometimes, they claim the vehicle was changed, not properly maintained, or had previous damage, which shifts the blame away from the manufacturer or repair shop.
Without legal help, victims often find it hard to fight these claims. Insurers use complicated language, vehicle manuals, and expert reports to explain why they deny or lower compensation. Victims might feel pressured to accept settlements that do not reflect the seriousness of their injuries or the impact of the malfunction in the accident.
After a crash, keep the vehicle in its current state. Do not repair or scrap it until an expert inspects the airbag system and data recorder. If possible, take photos of the interior, including the steering wheel and dashboard, to document any damage and the lack of airbag deployment.
Seek medical care immediately, as airbag injuries can be serious and may not appear right away. Timely medical records link your injuries to the airbag issue, strengthening your claim. Also, collect maintenance records and repair receipts to help identify where the airbag system may have failed.
If you were injured by a faulty airbag, you may qualify for compensation to cover medical bills, hospital stays, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term disability. For serious injuries, you can seek money for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and future income loss.
If the airbag failed due to known defects or ignored safety issues, you might also get punitive damages to punish the company and prevent future harm. Understanding these damages can help you seek the right compensation in negotiations or court.
Airbags protect millions of people each year, but when they fail, the consequences are severe. Victims deserve to know what went wrong and who is responsible, especially when a life-saving device does not function as expected. Through careful evidence preservation, expert analysis, and strong legal representation, victims can uncover the truth and seek justice.
