Were You Injured When The Airbag Went Off?
Air bags are an important tool to keeping drivers and passengers safe in the event of a collision, they have saved thousands and thousands of lives. They are often not thought about, people simply assume they will work efficiently and effectively in the event of a forceful collision.
Unfortunately, there have been injuries in connection with air bags, either because they did not deploy when they should have or they deployed when that added level of safety was not required. If you or someone you are about was seriously injured when an airbag malfunctioned, talk to a Miami car accident lawyer. Financial compensation could be possible.
Injuries Due to Airbag Malfunction
While safety features can save lives and protect individuals involved in a car crash from severe injuries, there are times when air bag defects lead to harm. Some examples of airbag injures that have occurred in Florida and around the world include the following:
- Facial injuries
- Hearing loss
- Bone fractures
- Bruising, burns, and scarring
- Concussions
- Blindness
- Disc and spinal cord harm
- Internal bleeding
The extent of the harm will depend on the unique facts of your situation. For example, some facial injuries are cuts and lacerations, others involve broken noses and the need for plastic surgery.
Airbag injuries can carry large consequences. Obviously, the injuries can be life changing, painful, and upsetting. Additionally, families may not be able to shoulder all of the medical costs, such as ambulance fees, surgery expenses, and medications. Health insurance provides a level of financial coverage, but there are often copays and deductibles that need to be paid as well.
When Airbags Deploy and What Can Go Wrong
When the sensors in your vehicle detect a collision between your car or truck and something else, there is a reaction that fills the bag with nitrogen gas. This inflating creates a cushion from the hard surfaces such as the steering wheel and dashboard. Because accidents happen in an instant, the process is fast and powerful.
If there is a defect, the airbags may go off too late, possibly because the sensors were not working properly. Or maybe there weren’t enough sensors installed in the vehicle itself. There are also times when air bag injuries are a result of them deploying when they shouldn’t have. For example, if a vehicle is traveling slowly and hits a curb, a deployed airbag can be damaging and not needed. Again, this could be due to faulty wiring or defective sensors.
To determine liability, talk to a Miami car accident lawyer. Manufacturers, of the auto or the air bags, could be responsible. In other situations, repair technicians were negligent. Financial relief could be possible.
Do you have questions about who is liable for your airbag malfunction injury? An experienced attorney can help. Talk to the Miami personal injury attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law and have a lawyer negotiate with an insurance company for you. We have experience proving negligence, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking cases to trial. Contact us today at 305-423-3800 to schedule your free consultation.