Airbags Should Protect You—Not Hurt You

Defective airbags can cause a range of serious injuries, including:

Facial and Head Injuries

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): If an airbag deploys with excessive force or fails to deploy, it can lead to concussions or severe brain trauma.

2. Facial Fractures: High-speed deployment can break the nose, cheekbones, or jaw.

3. Eye Injuries: Chemicals or debris from a defective airbag can cause vision loss or blindness.

Chest and Upper Body Injuries

1. Broken Ribs or Sternum: The force of deployment can fracture ribs or the breastbone, especially in smaller individuals.

2. Internal Organ Damage: A defective airbag can cause trauma to the heart, lungs, or liver, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions.

Burns and Skin Irritations

1. Chemical Burns: Airbags contain sodium azide and other chemicals that can cause burns upon deployment.

2. Abrasions and Lacerations: Faulty airbags may expel shrapnel or deploy with excessive force, leading to deep cuts.

Neck and Spinal Injuries

1. Whiplash: A delayed or improper deployment can cause severe strain on the neck.

2. Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the cervical spine can result in long-term mobility issues or paralysis.

Hearing Damage

1. Hearing Loss or Tinnitus: A loud explosion from an airbag deployment can cause eardrum ruptures or persistent ringing in the ears.

Fatal Injuries

In severe cases, defective airbags—such as those that explode or fail to deploy—can lead to fatalities.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a defective airbag, you may have legal options.

Even if you were partially responsible for an accident, you may still have a case against the vehicle manufacturer if a defective airbag contributed to or worsened your injuries.

Most states follow comparative negligence laws, meaning you can still seek compensation if the defective airbag played a significant role in your injuries—even if you were partially at fault for the crash.

1. Product Liability vs. Driver Fault: A Takata airbag lawsuit is typically a product liability case, meaning the focus is on the defect itself, not the accident’s cause.

2. Injury Severity Matters: If the airbag failed to deploy, exploded, or caused excessive force injuries, those damages could be the responsibility of Takata or the vehicle manufacturer.

Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience handling defective airbag claims, and our legal team of experts can evaluate whether your injuries were caused or worsened by the airbag defect. Even if you were partially at fault for the crash, you may still be entitled to compensation for:

1. Medical expenses

2. Lost wages

3. Pain and suffering

4. Permanent disability

If your airbag failed to deploy during an accident, it could have been due to a defect or a malfunction in the vehicle's airbag system.

Possible reasons why an airbag may not deploy can include:

1. Defective Sensors: Faulty crash sensors may fail to detect a collision, preventing deployment.

2. Electrical Malfunctions: Issues with the wiring or control module can stop the airbag from inflating.

3. Defective Airbag Module: Some airbags may be improperly installed or designed, making them unreliable.

4. Crash Conditions: Airbags are designed to deploy under specific conditions. If the crash did not meet these thresholds (low-speed impact), the airbag may not have deployed as intended.

5. Recalls and Manufacturer Defects: Some vehicles have been recalled due to airbag failures.

If an airbag failure caused or worsened your injuries, you may have a product liability claim against:

1. The vehicle manufacturer

2. The airbag manufacturer

3. The company responsible for maintenance or repairs

At Morgan & Morgan, our team of experienced defective airbag attorneys has successfully represented countless clients in similar situations, securing millions in compensation. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,000 lawyers nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for your rights.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay unless we win your case. Morgan & Morgan believes justice should be accessible to all, so our motto is the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

We take pride in holding negligent drivers accountable for the harm they’ve caused in motorcycle accidents. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of your injuries alone due to someone else’s recklessness. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to explore your legal options.

Morgan & Morgan’s product liability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your case comes to a successful conclusion. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

The settlement amount for an exploding airbag claim can vary significantly based on several key factors, including the severity of injuries, medical expenses, and the circumstances of the malfunction.

The most critical factor in determining a settlement is the extent of your injuries. Minor injuries, such as burns or abrasions, may result in lower settlements, while severe injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, vision loss, facial fractures, or internal organ damage—can lead to much larger compensation. In cases involving wrongful death, settlements tend to be even higher.

Medical expenses play a major role in settlement calculations. Costs for emergency medical treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care are all considered when determining compensation. If an exploding airbag caused permanent disability or disfigurement, future medical expenses and lost earning potential may also increase the settlement amount.