Pursuing Compensation for Airbag Injuries in North Carolina

Airbags save thousands of lives every year. Unfortunately, defective airbags can cause serious injuries or even death in car accidents. Injuries can result from airbag deployments, especially if the airbag is defective. Airbags deploy with significant force, and they can be very hot. Defecting and not working right can cause serious burns due to the heat. They can also cause fractures to the face and neck due to extreme force. Young children are especially at risk of becoming seriously injured by airbags because they are shorter and smaller.

Although airbags are designed to protect drivers and passengers from becoming seriously injured in an accident, they can sometimes be defective and cause severe injuries. Whether front or side airbags, these safety tools can cause the following types of injuries:

• Upper body injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal fractures
• Broken arms, hands, wrists, and fingers
• Broken nose
• Broken cheekbones and other facial fractures
• Eye injuries and damage, including partial or total blindness
• Bruising and swelling
• Fractured sternum and broken ribs
• Soft tissue and organ damage
• Burns and abrasions
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

Have you or your loved one been seriously injured by a defective airbag in North Carolina? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Do not hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn more about how we can pursue the most compensation possible for you.

If an airbag has injured you, you should first call 911 and request an ambulance. You should undergo a comprehensive examination at the hospital. If you do not go to the hospital, you must go to urgent care or your physician as soon as possible after the accident. Documentation of your injuries will allow you to prove that the airbag caused them. It can also help you show the full extent of your injuries. If you pursue an insurance claim or personal injury loss suit, the report from the doctor will be crucial evidence connecting the airbag to your injuries. If you can do so safely, take photos of the accident scene with your cell phone, including the deployed airbag.

You should also take photos of the vehicle from outside the vehicle and photos of your injuries immediately after the accident. When you pursue an insurance claim, the insurer may try to say the vehicle is totaled if you were in a severe accident that caused damage to your car. Keep them from totaling your vehicle because, with the airbag and its components, it will be tough, if not impossible, to prove that the airbag was defective and caused your injuries. If you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit, the sensor, airbag, and even the vehicle's computer must be kept as evidence.

If an airbag has injured you or a loved one, you may be able to hold the airbag manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer liable for your injuries. As with any personal injury lawsuit, you must prove that the defendant caused your injuries. Specifically, you will need to prove that the manufacturer's negligence or recklessness caused the defective airbag to injure you. There are several types of product liability claims you can pursue. For example, if the airbag was designed defectively, causing it to go off when you weren't involved in an accident and injure you, they can be held liable.

Similarly, the manufacturer can be liable if the airbag becomes dangerous due to a manufacturing defect. In some cases, the dealership could be held liable if they fail to notice an issue with your vehicle or fix any issues with your airbag properly. Speaking to an attorney as soon as possible is crucial because your attorney can begin investigating, Gathering evidence, and working with experts, as needed, to determine which party or parties are liable for your injuries. After identifying the reliable parties, your attorney can aggressively seek compensation.

In North Carolina, victims of airbag injuries only have a short amount of time to file a claim against the manufacturer. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the more time your attorney will have to pursue the full compensation you deserve. Don't hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a complimentary case evaluation as soon as possible.