5 Types of Airbag Injuries After a Crash & How to Handle Them
Airbags are one of the most significant safety features in modern cars. Airbags provide crucial protection for drivers and passengers in a car crash by cushioning them from impact and helping to prevent serious injuries. Airbags work by using a combination of sensors and inflators to detect a collision and deploy the bags in milliseconds.
The bags are designed to inflate quickly and deflate just as quickly, providing a soft cushion that absorbs the impact of a collision. While airbags cannot prevent all injuries, they have been shown to reduce the severity of injuries in car accidents dramatically. As a result, they have become an essential safety feature in today's cars.
Here are the common types of airbag injuries after a crash and how to handle them:
How Does an Airbag Function?
photo by Markus Spiske
Imagine driving down the highway, and suddenly another vehicle swerves into your lane. You have a split second to react. If you're lucky enough to have an airbag in your vehicle, it can mean the difference between a severe injury and a minor one. But how does an airbag work?
Airbags are designed to deploy during a frontal or side collision. They provide a cushion of protection for the driver and passengers by inflating quickly and deflating just as rapidly. The inflation process is quite complex, involving a chemical reaction triggered by a sensor in the event of a collision. When the sensor is activated, it ignites a chemical mixture that fills the airbag with nitrogen gas. The process happens milliseconds, providing invaluable protection for the vehicle's occupants.
While airbags have been proven to be life-saving devices, it's important to remember that they are not foolproof. They are designed to supplement seatbelts, not replace them. And although they reduce the risk of serious injuries, they can still cause bruising and other minor injuries. For these reasons, it's always essential to wear your seatbelt and drive safely.
What Can Go Wrong When an Airbag Deploys?
When an airbag deploys, it can create a lot of force. This can cause injuries to people in the way of the deployment. The most common injuries are cuts and bruises. Some people have been known to break bones when an airbag hits them. In rare cases, people have even been killed by airbags.
One of the biggest dangers of airbags is that they can deploy while someone is driving. If this happens, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Sometimes, the airbag can even deploy while someone is wearing a seatbelt. This can cause the person to be ejected from the car. Seatbelts are designed to keep people in their seats during a crash, but they cannot always do this if an airbag deploys.
Another danger of airbags is that they can cause fires. This is usually because the airbag deploys with such force that it ignites something in the car. This can be a dangerous situation for anyone who is inside the vehicle at the time.
Airbags are a vital safety feature in many vehicles but can also be dangerous. Before getting into a car with them, it is essential to be aware of the risks.
5 Common Airbag Injuries After a Crash
Airbags are extremely effective in reducing injuries and fatalities in car accidents. However, there are still some risks associated with airbags. List down the common bag injuries after a crash:
Burns
Burns is one of the most common airbag injuries. The high-speed inflation of an airbag can cause friction burns, similar to road rash. These burns typically occur on the face, chest, and arms. The burning can be deep enough to damage tissue and nerve endings in more severe cases. In addition to causing pain and discomfort, burns can lead to infections.
For this reason, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is essential if you experience a burn after an airbag deployment. You may also need to see a plastic surgeon to treat more severe burns. With prompt medical care, most people who sustain airbag burns fully recover.
photo by Anna Shvets
Chest Injuries
Though most often thought of as head and neck injuries, inward-deploying airbags can also cause serious chest injuries. Because the impact is so sudden and forceful, the airbag can break ribs and even puncture the lungs. In some cases, the injuries are minor and heal quickly. However, more severe injuries may require surgery and a long recovery process.
Even after healing, the victim may suffer from chronic pain. Pain medication and physical therapy may be necessary to help them regain their quality of life. Airbag injuries, though often not as visible as other types of damage, can be just as debilitating. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention, even if there are no apparent signs of injury.
Face Injuries
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says airbags injured almost 40,000 people in 2018. Many of those injuries were to the face or head. The NHTSA estimates that about 10 percent of all airbag-related injuries are to the face.
There are a few reasons why face injuries are more common than other types of injuries from airbags. First, the positioning of the driver or front passenger relative to the airbag can result in facial injuries. Second, the size and design of modern airbags have changed over time, and they now deploy with more force than older models. And finally, people are generally less likely to wear seat belts properly if they're not wearing a lap and shoulder belt together. This can cause them to be thrown forward into the steering wheel or dashboard and hit by the deploying airbag.
There are a few ways to help prevent facial injuries from airbags:
Always wear a seat belt correctly, even if going for a short drive.
If you have an infant in a rear-facing car seat, move it as far back from the front seats as possible.
Make sure your passengers do the same.
By taking these precautions, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the event of an accident.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are often caused by the impact of the airbag against the body. The force of the airbag deploying can cause organs to be damaged or dislocated. In some cases, the force of the airbag is so great that it can cause a person to be decapitated. Although these injuries are rare, they do occur, and they can be severe. If you are involved in a car accident, you must see a doctor, even if you do not think you have been injured. Some internal injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent, but they can be life-threatening if they are not treated promptly.
Neck & Back Injuries
Neck and back injuries can range from mild to severe and can have a lasting impact on a person's quality of life. Treatment for these injuries can be expensive and time-consuming, making them a significant financial burden for many families. If you have been in a car accident, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible to assess the extent of your injuries. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to minimize the long-term effects of neck and back injuries.
Who Is to Blame for Airbag Failure?
photo by Rahul Pugazhendi
Airbags are designed to deploy and cushion the impact in a high-speed collision, preventing severe injuries to drivers and passengers. However, in some cases, airbags have failed to deploy correctly, resulting in devastating injuries or even death. The question of who is to blame for these failures has been the subject of much debate. Some point the finger at the manufacturers of airbags, claiming that they have used substandard materials or failed to test their products correctly.
Others argue that carmakers are at fault, alleging that they have not installed airbags correctly or made sure they are compatible with other safety features. Ultimately, the truth is likely to lie somewhere in between. Until the cause of these failures can be determined definitively, it is crucial for everyone involved - from carmakers to suppliers to consumers - to remain vigilant and work together to ensure the safety of all motorists.
Hire an Excellent Lawyer Today!
Car accidents are never fun, but they're especially stressful when they involve airbags. Not only do you have to deal with the damage to your vehicle, but you also have to worry about the possible injuries you may have sustained from the impact. And if your airbags failed to deploy, you may wonder if you have a case against the manufacturer. That's where an experienced airbag accident lawyer can help.
Airbag accident lawyers in OUCH USA have a deep understanding of airbag regulations, and they know how to investigate cases to determine whether or not there was a failure in the design or deployment of the airbag. They also know how to build a strong case and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve. So if you've been in an airbag accident, don't hesitate to reach out via email at hello@ouchusa.com or call us at +1-844-872-6824 and get the justice and compensation you deserve.