Defective Airbag Accident Lawyers

Defective Airbags

Ironically, airbags which were designed to minimize injury in the event of a collision, frontal impact or other accidents are sometimes responsible for causing injuries in a crash. Damages, injuries, and death from automobile airbags are due to a number of problems with the airbag safety feature and can result in serious head, neck, face, eye, chest and shoulder injuries as well as death. Increasing concern is focused on eye injuries from airbag deployment, with injuries ranging in severity from bruised eye sockets, to ruptured eyeballs, glaucoma, and blindness.

Although the requirement that vehicles have airbags is certainly a positive improvement in vehicle safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that airbag problems have killed hundreds of people, including numerous children.

Defective airbag problems fall into these main categories:

· Failure To Deploy - In the event of an airbag's failure to deploy, injury occurs from contact with the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield - exactly the kinds of injuries airbags were designed to prevent.

· Late Deployment - If the airbag fails to activate in a timely manner, not only are the above-listed injuries likely, but the airbag will cause additional injuries because the accident trajectory will position the occupant too close to the bag when it does finally deploy. Evidence that the airbag activated late includes a disfigured or bent steering wheel and/or a disfigured air bag cover.

· Unnecessary Deployment In Minor Collisions - Airbags deploy with significant force at fairly close range. If they deploy in a minor accident, they can become harmful trajectories in themselves, causing serious injuries.

· Improper Angle Of Deployment - Air bags that deploy at an improper angle can cause worse injuries than if they had not deployed at all.

· Sudden Activation For No Reason - Several vehicles have been recalled in the last few years because their airbags deploy for no reason. If an airbag suddenly deploys without warning, this not only causes face, neck, head and shoulder injuries from the air bag, but it is likely to actually cause an accident as the driver's visibility is instantly impaired.

· Overpowering Force - Although this problem is being adjusted in newer models of cars and with refinements to air bag systems, there are still many cars on the road with airbags that deploy with overpowering force causing significant injuries and even fatalities.

· Injury To Children Or Small Adults - Designed for an average American male, airbags can cause severe injury and death to children, females, smaller-than-average males and drivers who sit closer to the steering wheel than an average 5'8" male driver. At approximately 200 mph in velocity an airbag is designed to activate in the chest region to minimize injury. For shorter people and those sitting too close to the airbag compartment, airbags can be dangerous. Children riding in the front seat can be seriously injured or killed when an airbag deploys in a crash.

· Injury to Female Drivers - Airbag injury research indicates that unless the speed at impact is greater than approximately 35 mph, airbag deployment does more harm than good for female drivers.

Cautions and Guidelines

Airbags are a significant improvement in vehicle crash safety, but can be their own source of damage, destruction and death under many circumstances. To minimize the danger, do not put children or smaller individuals in the front seat of the car. Drivers under 5'3" and female drivers should sit as far from the steering wheel as possible while still maintaining comfortable contact and control with the steering wheel, foot pedals and brakes.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective airbag or failure, there may be evidence in the car's computer records about what occurred and whether a defective airbag contributed to the severity or injuries of the accident. For more information about defective airbag accidents, please give our defective airbag accident lawyers a call.

The law firm of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor, P.A. has a long history of jury verdict awards and has been nationally recognized as one of the top firms in jury verdicts and claims. Our attorneys specialize in product liability lawsuit cases and settlements.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective airbag accident, please call or email our experienced defective airbag accident lawyers today. We'll evaluate your claim for free and help you get the justice you deserve.

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To contact our experienced defective airbag accident attorneys please call 888-435-7001 or email us today .

Levin • Papantonio • Thomas • Mitchell • Echsner & Proctor, P.A.
316 South Baylen Street, Suite 600 • Pensacola, FL 32502-5996