Defective Airbag Injuries
Airbags are installed in cars to reduce injury and impact when drivers and their passengers get into an accident. However, due to the force needed for them to inflate, and because they come into such close contact with the individuals in the car, airbags can sometimes do more harm than good. The chances of getting injured by an airbag increase, even more, when an airbag is defective and in some cases, the injuries can even be fatal.
Make sure to speak to a Las Vegas injury attorney immediately if you have been injured by a defective airbag.
What to Do if You Suffer An Injury?
Seeking medical attention is the most important thing. Be sure that you or a loved one involved in any accident seek immediate medical help.
Next, try to secure the vehicle and preserve it for inspection by an expert in airbag mechanics and deployment. You should also consult an experienced attorney as soon as you can after the injury. An effective lawyer with significant resources to fight these cases can help you with vehicle preservation and with finding and retaining the necessary experts.
Airbag Defects as a Cause of Accidents and Injuries
Airbag malfunctions can happen for various reasons. The most common deployment error is faulty sensors. These sensors can trigger without warning when no accident has occurred, fail to trigger when an accident occurs, or the sensor may delay triggering in the critical moments during a crash.
Airbags must deploy quickly because even microseconds can make the difference between a survivable accident and a wrongful death.
Airbag Malfunctions
Airbag malfunctions are among the most common causes of vehicle recalls. In the past few years, more than 50 million Takata airbags installed on nearly 37 million vehicles were recalled. The recall was prompted because the airbags have a tendency to explode and rupture during a crash.
Liability for injuries caused by a malfunctioning or poorly designed airbag may fall upon the vehicle manufacturer, the manufacturer of the faulty component, a car rental company that failed to repair the known defect, etc.
Common Injuries Caused by Airbags
Injuries caused by airbags can include the following:
- Friction burns to the hands and upper body
- Cuts or bruising to the face, chest, and arms
- Impact injuries to the wrists and fingers
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Trauma to the middle ear, causing hearing loss
- Exacerbating asthma
- Trauma to the fetus or amniotic sac in pregnant passengers or drivers
Airbag Injury Claims
Drivers think that airbags will keep them safe in the event of a collision, and not cause them harm. If an airbag is defective, you could be owed significant compensation from the manufacturer of the device, the automobile manufacturer, or multiple parties.
Even if the airbag was not defective, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver who caused the crash that resulted in airbag deployment and injuries.
Your attorney will investigate the cause of your injuries and will work to determine any and all liable parties.
You could be eligible to recover damages including medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, among others. Time is limited to file an injury claim, however, so it is critical to get legal help right away.
Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Airbag Accident
In an accident, poor design or operation may be at fault. Different standards may apply to determine liability in such cases, and consulting Las Vegas product liability lawyers with experience in a broad spectrum of personal injury litigation and the resources to handle your case properly is vital. Without the necessary experience, resources, and skill, some attorneys may not pursue all claims and compensation available to you.
If you have been injured by an airbag system that deployed with too much force or sent shrapnel flying through the vehicle, you are encouraged to seek legal representation. As an injury victim, you may be entitled to specific forms of compensation.
Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas understand the seriousness of this problem and will aggressively represent your dangerous airbags case. Schedule a free consultation to have your case evaluated. Our professional staff will provide you with all the information you need to seek compensation for your injuries that you deserve. Contact us online or call now for a free consultation at (702) 384-1414.