Written byIn 2025, airbags will be a common safety feature in cars. Though it is not available in every car model, every brand has some models with this safety option.
So, if you have faced a car accident and your airbag has not deployed at the right time, you might get injured severely. This means you have a case! But the case will depend on various factors.
So, is it a malfunction? Well, the experts will ensure this while investigating-
- The type of collision
- The car’s airbag system
- The impact force during a crash
Who is responsible?
The presence or absence of injuries will be a major factor in determining liability. Let’s find out more here!
Understanding Airbag Deployment in Car Accidents
To understand your case and situation clearly, you must comprehend how airbags work in a car. It is better to understand the process before the accident than after.
Airbags follow sensor-based deployment. So, it is likely to work on the impact force during the collision. However, different factors can prevent airbag deployment. What are those?
How Airbags Are Designed to Work
Airbags rely on impacts from both sides and the front of the car. Therefore, the entire vehicle is connected to the airbag via a sensor. In such a situation, accelerometers are also connected to the airbags to understand the impact.
After a certain threshold force is set in the car, the airbag will automatically open. But how? Well, when triggered, a chemical reaction occurs which produces a particular gas to fill the airbag in milliseconds. When the air fills, it creates the cushion you need to be protected from the hard surfaces of the cars.
Common Reasons for Airbag Failure
Airbag failure can result from sensor malfunction, electrical issues, or physical damage to the sensor components. Manufacturing defects or a lack of proper maintenance also contribute.
Now that you know how airbags work, you also must understand when they may not work. We know that airbags are sensor-based, and this malfunction is possible. From electrical issues to physical damage, anything can happen to the airbag and related equipment.
This may occur due to a lack of maintenance or contributions from the manufacturers. It can also be due to the use of poor-quality products. Also, due to the accident, the communication system may be damaged and not work as well.
Types of Car Accidents Impacting Airbag Deployment
Frontal collisions are the most common triggers for airbag deployment due to direct sensor activation. Rear-end crashes typically do not deploy front airbags because they exert less force on the sensors.
Side-impact collisions activate side airbags if equipped, but only if sensors detect a force above a specific threshold near the impact area. Rollovers might trigger curtain airbags, but not always front airbags.
Low-speed collisions or glancing blows often do not deploy airbags. The decision to deploy depends on force, location, and speed, as the system prioritizes occupant safety based on these variables.
Legal Rights and Liability When Airbags Don’t Deploy
If your airbag fails to deploy at the right time, you have multiple factors to focus on. The legal responsibilities will be divided based on various factors-
- Negligence
- Manufacturing defect
- Improper maintenance
Establishing Negligence and Fault
Safety is a duty, and if a party fails to meet that, you can claim for negligence. The vehicle owners and drivers are mainly responsible for this. Their negligence, despite warning signs, may lead to issues.
If the driver is at fault, then the negligence might be complicated to claim. However, if the airbag did not pop up due to a system failure, it would lead to a breach of safety standards.
Manufacturer Liability and Product Defects
Manufacturers can be held liable if the airbag system suffers from defects. Defects can involve faulty sensors, control modules, or the airbags themselves. A recall notice related to airbags significantly supports a product liability claim.
Legal standards require manufacturers to design, test, and warn about potential hazards. If they fail to meet these obligations, victims may recover damages under product liability laws.
Victims should review maintenance records and service histories to identify any lapses. These records help determine if third parties contributed to the failure, impacting legal responsibility.
Steps to Take If Your Airbags Failed During a Crash
We have seen many accidents where airbags did not work, and no one took a step, but suffered without doing anything. This is where you need to be smart and work on your rights. If you have faced an accident where your injuries could have been avoided, you must act!
Take these steps-
- Proper documentation
- Definite medical care
- Consult with legal experts
Documenting Evidence After an Accident
The first step is to document everything related to the accident. Taking clear photographs of the vehicle’s interior and exterior, especially the dashboard and steering wheel where airbags should have deployed, is crucial.
Consider details like time, date, and location. Also, go over the conditions of the crash to determine the details of the situation. Go for the contact information and gather all evidence.
Contacting Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group
Reaching out to Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group in Olympia promptly ensures expert help when addressing airbag failure claims. The firm offers free consultations to review accident details and medical evidence.
They can also collect additional evidence from the insurer and manufacturer, which might work for you. The best part is that they know all the loopholes of such cases, and thus they can operate without getting confused.
Contact them for further assistance and make sure to get compensation for airbag malfunction injuries.
Note: This article is provided by “Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group“ and published by our team. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.
