When you are injured in a car accident, the last thing you expect is your car’s safety features to be the cause. Unfortunately, airbag injuries are not uncommon, as they can be the result of defects. As such, understanding your legal options and how to seek liability for the damages you’ve suffered is critical. The following blog explores how these injuries happen and why working with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer is critical to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
What Are Airbag Injuries and How Do They Happen?
All modern vehicles are equipped with a multitude of safety features, including airbags. These are essentially cushions that deploy when your car detects a collision to help protect you from colliding with the hard surfaces of your vehicle’s interior. Essentially, when the airbag system is triggered, a chemical reaction occurs, creating nitrogen gas which fills the bags at a speed of up to 200 miles per hour.
While airbags are intended to keep passengers safe, issues with their design, production, installation, or repairs can leave them defective. As such, they may not function properly, causing a number of serious injuries. This includes internal organ damage due to the force at which the bags deploy, chemical burns, hearing loss, contusions, and lacerations. In some instances, the airbags may fail to deploy at all, which can result in catastrophic injuries.
Who Can Face Liability for Damages?
When defective airbags in your vehicle leave you with serious injuries, understanding your legal options is critical. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, several different parties may face liability for the damages you endured. Generally, the company responsible for manufacturing the airbag can be held liable if the issue was caused by a defect in the design or production of the product. However, in some instances, the car manufacturer can face liability. This primarily occurs when the manufacturer fails to correctly install the airbag, leaving it prone to accidents. In some instances, if a mechanic worked on the vehicle and compromised the integrity of the airbag, they can also face liability for any damages you’ve sustained.
You should also understand that the manufacturer may not be the sole entity liable for the injuries you endured. If you were struck by a negligent driver who caused your defective airbags to deploy, responsibility for damages may be divided between the parties. For example, your medical providers may be able to determine what injuries are a result of the actual collision and which were caused by the airbags in order to hold each party accountable.
While airbags can be a vital safety feature in ensuring vehicle occupants remain safe in the event of a collision, when defective, these can be incredibly dangerous and result in serious injuries. As such, if you have suffered due to airbags, it’s critical to connect with an experienced personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes. Our firm understands how overwhelming these matters can be, which is why we can handle the legal complexities of your case so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to discuss your circumstances with a member of our firm.
