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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags have saved more than 50,000 lives over the last 30 years. But they also deploy with tremendous force, approximately 100 to 220 mph, which can cause serious injuries in a collision.
Airbag injuries are physical injuries caused by the force, heat, and chemicals released during airbag deployment. They can happen even when the airbag works as intended. Common injuries include facial trauma, chest injuries, wrist and arm fractures, eye injuries, and chemical burns.
If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, Weatherby Law Firm can help you recover compensation for your airbag injury. In this guide, we draw on our experience to break down the most common types of airbag injuries and explain how to protect your health and rights after a car accident.
How Airbags Work — and Why They Can Hurt You
Airbags inflate within milliseconds after sensors detect a moderate-to-severe collision. A rapid chemical reaction fills the airbag with gas, allowing it to cushion occupants before immediately deflating. While this process saves lives, the speed and force of airbag deployment can also cause injuries, especially for occupants sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard. Older airbag systems may also release chemicals and fine particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, or respiratory system after deployment.
Frontal Airbags vs. Side/Curtain Airbags
- Frontal AirbagsFrontal airbags deploy from the steering wheel and dashboard to protect occupants during head-on crashes. Because they inflate directly toward the driver or front passenger, they are most often associated with facial, chest, and arm injuries.
- Side Curtain AirbagsSide curtain airbags deploy from the roof rail or door area during side-impact and rollover crashes. Although they reduce the risk of serious head injuries, side airbag injuries can include neck strain, shoulder injuries, ear trauma, and hearing damage caused by the explosive deployment.
When Airbags Deploy — and When They Don’t
Most frontal airbags deploy during moderate-to-severe frontal crashes. If an airbag fails to deploy in a collision where it reasonably should have, the issue may involve a defective airbag system rather than normal crash forces, potentially creating a separate product liability claim in addition to any negligence claim.
The Most Common Airbag Deployment Injuries
Airbag deployment injuries vary depending on the speed of the collision, seating position, and whether the occupant was wearing a seatbelt. Even injuries that appear minor immediately after a crash can require extensive medical treatment and become an important part of a personal injury claim.
Facial and Eye Injuries
A deployed airbag can strike the face with enough force to cause cuts, abrasions, bruising, broken noses, facial fractures, and eye injuries. Chemical residue and gases released during deployment may also irritate the eyes or cause chemical burns. Thorough medical documentation is critical to the success of airbag injury claims, as they often require follow-up care from ophthalmologists or plastic surgeons.
Chest and Rib Injuries
Chest injuries are among the most common airbag injuries. The impact can bruise or fracture ribs, damage the sternum, or even cause a myocardial contusion, also known as a bruised heart muscle. When combined with seatbelt forces, airbag deployment may create additional chest trauma, often referred to as seat belt syndrome.
Note: Airbags are designed to work together with seatbelts. Not replace them. Wearing your seatbelt helps position your body correctly during a crash and greatly reduces the risk of severe airbag injuries.
Hand, Wrist, and Arm Injuries
Drivers gripping the steering wheel at the traditional 10-and-2 position are especially vulnerable to wrist fractures and thumb ligament injuries, known as “airbag thumb,” when the airbag deploys. These orthopedic injuries often worsen over the first 24 to 72 hours after a crash. Passengers who rest their feet or arms on the dashboard face an even greater risk of severe fractures and other traumatic injuries.
Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Although airbags help reduce the risk of severe head trauma, the force of deployment can still cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially for smaller occupants seated close to the steering wheel. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, and light sensitivity, and they do not always appear immediately after a crash. If you notice delayed neurological symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
Why Airbag Injuries Are Often Underestimated
- Adrenaline masks pain. Your body’s stress response can hide symptoms immediately after a collision. Serious injuries often become noticeable within the next 24 to 72 hours.
- Not every injury is visible. Rib fractures, internal bruising, and traumatic brain injuries may show few external signs but still require extensive treatment and diagnostic imaging.
- Chemical exposure may take time to develop. Skin irritation, burning eyes, breathing problems, and respiratory irritation from airbag chemicals may not appear until several hours after deployment.
- Insurance companies question delayed treatment. Waiting to seek medical care gives insurers an opportunity to argue your injuries were unrelated to the crash. Taking time to learn how to talk to insurance claims adjusters can help you avoid common mistakes during the claims process.
What to Do After an Airbag Deploys in a Crash
Knowing what to do after an airbag deploys can protect both your health and your legal rights if another driver’s negligence caused the accident.
Seek Emergency Medical Care Immediately
Visit an emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Tell your provider that the airbag deployed and describe every symptom, including chest pain, headaches, eye irritation, burns, or breathing problems.
Don’t forget to request copies of your medical records and imaging results. Early documentation can become valuable evidence if you later pursue a Georgia personal injury claim.
Preserve Evidence From the Scene
Take photographs of the deployed airbag, vehicle interior, visible injuries, and any chemical residue before the vehicle is repaired or towed away. If possible, document where you were sitting, whether you were wearing a seatbelt, and how the crash occurred. These details often help establish how the airbag caused your injuries.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney
Airbag injuries frequently involve medical expenses, lost income, and ongoing treatment. Georgia’s statute of limitations gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, making it important to understand your legal options early. The sooner you hire an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney, the sooner they can investigate the crash and determine whether your case involves driver negligence or a product liability claim.
Contact Weatherby Law Firm today to explore your legal options and determine whether you have an airbag injury claim. We will listen to your story, review how Georgia law applies to your case, and develop a strategy to secure the maximum compensation possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbag Injuries
Can an airbag injury be the basis of a personal injury claim in Georgia?
Yes. If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may seek compensation for airbag-related injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Georgia generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How long after a crash do airbag injuries appear?
Some injuries, including bruised ribs, traumatic brain injuries, and chemical burns, may not produce noticeable symptoms for 24 to 72 hours. Seek medical attention immediately after any airbag deployment, even if you feel fine.
Can a side airbag cause injuries?
Yes. Side curtain airbags can cause neck strain, shoulder injuries, ear trauma, and hearing damage during side-impact and rollover crashes. Like frontal airbag injuries, these injuries may be recoverable in a Georgia personal injury claim if another party caused the accident.
What if the airbag didn’t deploy and I was injured?
An airbag that fails to deploy during a crash where it reasonably should have may indicate a product defect. In addition to a claim against the at-fault driver, you may also have a separate product liability claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer.
Do I need a lawyer for an airbag injury claim?
You are not required to hire an attorney, but airbag injury claims often involve disputed medical evidence, delayed symptoms, and questions about liability. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case, preserve evidence, and protect your right to pursue compensation.
