Airbags are installed in vehicles to prevent injuries, not cause them. When they function properly, airbags reduce the risk of serious harm in a crash by cushioning the impact. But when they fail or malfunction, the result can be life-changing injuries and complicated questions about who is responsible.
A defective airbag might deploy too late or too aggressively, or not at all. These failures can make a collision far more dangerous. In some cases, the defect may not be discovered until after an injury has occurred. Understanding who may be liable is important if you were hurt by an airbag that did not work as intended.
What are the potential airbag defects?
Several types of defects can prevent an airbag from protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash. These problems can arise during manufacturing, design or installation, and may involve either the car manufacturer or a third-party supplier.
Common types of airbag defects include:
- Failure to deploy: The airbag does not open in a collision when it should have, exposing occupants to more serious injuries.
- Unintended deployment: The airbag activates without warning and without a crash occurring, which can cause accidents and injuries on its own.
- Excessive force during deployment: The airbag inflates too quickly or forcefully, causing impact injuries to the face, neck or chest.
- Partial or uneven deployment: Only one airbag inflates or the deployment is incomplete, reducing its ability to protect occupants.
- Wiring or sensor failure: Electrical problems can prevent crash sensors from sending the correct signal to the airbag system.
- Defective inflator components: Certain airbag systems may explode or release shrapnel due to faulty internal parts.
If you were hurt in a crash and believe a defective airbag played a role, different parties may be responsible. These can include the airbag manufacturer, the vehicle manufacturer or even a service provider who worked on the vehicle. In some cases, another driver may also be partially responsible if their actions caused the collision that triggered the faulty airbag.
Obtaining legal guidance can be helpful if you were injured by a defective airbag and need support evaluating your options.