Airbag Injuries

The use of airbags in vehicles has saved countless lives over the years. Between 1987 to 2017, airbags have saved 50,457 lives in the United States. However, when an airbag fails to deploy in a dangerous North Carolina car accident, a victim may suffer more severe injuries or even death as a result. When airbags malfunction and do not deploy, determining liability can become difficult. The driver who negligently caused your accident may be liable. Additionally, the manufacturer of the airbag itself and possibly the car manufacturers may also be at fault.

If you have suffered a car accident injury involving a defective airbag, you will need an experienced attorney to advocate on your behalf. Charlotte, North Carolina, personal attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC have years of experience advocating for the personal injury claims of clients. If an undeployed airbag in a car accident caused you, or a family member’s injuries, you might be entitled to compensation under North Carolina Law. We fight on behalf of our clients at every stage of the legal process so they can receive the compensation they deserve.

Airbags should inflate when a car accident takes place. The force of the impact of colliding with another car triggers a sensor that will signal the airbags to deploy. Cars should include airbags inside doors, panels, and dashboards. When all of the airbags deploy effectively, they should cushion the driver or passenger's upper body. Airbag cushions prevent bodies of drivers and passengers from flying into the dashboard or car doors and becoming more severely injured.

There are several reasons why an airbag fails to deploy. Our experienced car accident attorneys investigate our client's car accidents to attempt to determine the precise cause of the airbag malfunction. The following defects can cause an airbag to fail to deploy correctly:

• Defective key-rotation ignition switches
• An airbag deploys too slowly
• An airbag deploys, and an accident has not occurred, causing injuries
• An airbag deploys with too much force
• An airbag deploys with too little force
• An airbag fails to deploy in a motor vehicle accident
• A vehicle lacks side airbags or front airbags

It can be challenging for plaintiffs to prove that an airbag malfunction caused their injuries or made their injuries worse. Our experienced personal injury lawyers know the best investigative tactics and experts who will shed light on the damage caused by defective airbags.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) researched deaths and injuries caused by airbags. It found that between 1990 and 2007, the following occurred:

• 172 children faced severe injuries resulting from airbag deployment
• 91 adults died from injuries caused by airbag deployment
• 38 children suffered injuries that were life-threatening from airbags
• 13 passengers died as a result of injuries sustained from airbags

Airbags deploy with a significant amount of force. When an airbag malfunction and deploys incorrectly or with too much power, it can cause drivers and passengers severe injuries, such as:

• Shock
• Crushed Limbs
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Paralysis
• Eye injuries
• Facial lacerations
• Nerve Damage
• Suffocation
• Burns
• Broken nose
• Death

Have you suffered injuries resulting from a car accident in North Carolina? Did the airbag in your car fail to deploy or deploy improperly? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Our attorneys can advocate for your interests.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, our injury attorneys understand how difficult it is to recover from a car accident, especially when you have medical bills piling up. You may also be suffering from the shock and trauma of your accident. It is more important than ever for those injured in car accidents to seek compensation that will help themselves and their family members stay afloat. Successful North Carolina personal injury plaintiffs may be entitled to the following types of payment:

• Medical and physical therapy expenses
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket costs related to the car accident
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Compensation for emotional distress
• Compensation for loss of consortium

If defective airbags caused or contributed to your injuries, it is wise to hire skilled attorneys to fight for your rights. Airbag manufacturers typically perform extensive testing on airbags and have teams of attorneys representing their interests. It takes experienced Charlotte attorneys to demonstrate in court the extent to which an airbag contributed to your injuries. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to set up your free consultation.