Airbag Defects

With every passing year airbag systems become more and more complex. For example, many systems now monitor seat position and belt use or non-use to determine when and if an airbag deployment is needed in minor to moderate accidents to protect the occupant. With this ever increasing complexity, the ability to identify and prosecute airbag defect claims becomes more difficult.

Developing trends in airbag litigation reveal that airbag defects can come in many forms. Consumers and attorneys looking to evaluate the potential that an airbag defect played a role in their injuries should consider the possibility that the airbag failed to perform as intended.

Some of the more common airbag failures are as follows:

Inadvertent deployments of airbags

Sometimes an airbag will deploy or “fire” when it is not intended. An airbag deploying in the absence of an accident is a classic example of an inadvertent deployment, and can be the basis of a claim when significant injuries occur.

Late deployments of airbags

Airbags are intended to deploy within milliseconds of the airbag computer sensing that a crash of significant magnitude is occurring. However, sometimes due to sensor placement issues, faulty components, or airbag algorithm problems the airbag can deploy after it should. The result is that the occupant does not receive the protection intended until after the forces of the impact have already caused injuries that could have been prevented.

Failure of an airbag to deploy

Most manufactures design airbags to deploy in moderate to severe accidents. Airbags are neither needed nor desired in low speed accidents, as the forces required to deploy an airbag in time may do more harm than good when they are introduced in minor crashes. However, as airbags become more complex more and more fail to deploy situations are being seen. In these cases, consumers can sustain injuries that could have been prevented if the airbag would have fired as intended and designed.

As Airbag Defect attorneys we can help

If you suspect an airbag defect to be the cause of a serious injury or death, contact us for a free evaluation of your case. As airbag defect lawyers we have extensive experience in litigating accidents involving airbags, and stand ready to bring our knowledge and expertise to bear for consumers injured by defective airbags.