Common Injuries Resulting from Exploding Airbags

As of late, there has been an uptick in drivers reporting injuries resulting from their vehicle safety features rather than actual accidents on the road. While the idea that the features created to help save your life in the event of an accident may be the reason you or a loved one may instead lose your life may seem odd, it is an unfortunate reality many have had to face since the early 90s. Drivers who are at risk of experiencing their vehicle's airbags exploding should be aware of the signs and prepared for what may happen next.

Below, we will cover some of the most commonly reported injuries linked to exploding airbags, what you should do after you've suffered an injury or lost a loved one, and how you can learn if your vehicle's airbags are at risk of rupturing.

Common Injuries Caused by Exploding Airbags

When airbags explode, those who are in or around the vehicle may suffer from severe or even life-threatening injuries. Some of the most commonly reported injuries caused by a defective or exploding airbag include the following:

• Broken bones: The force of the airbag explosion may cause the driver or passenger in the cabin to suffer from bone fractures or dislocations in the ribs, collarbone, arms, wrists, and/or hands.
• Burns and abrasions: The speed at which an airbag deploys can cause abrasions or burns, especially to the face and arms. Chemicals in the aerosol created during deployment, usually sodium hydroxide, can also cause burns.
• Eye Injuries: Drivers or vehicle passengers may often suffer from an eye injury due to an exploding airbag. Common eye injuries reported include corneal abrasions, hyphemas, vitreous hemorrhages, retinal detachments, or choroidal ruptures. In some cases, victims have reported their injuries have led to temporary loss of eyesight or permanent blindness.
• Hearing loss: The sound pressure level created by an exploding airbag can be greater than 170 decibels, which can cause semi-permanent or permanent damage to the ear. Common blast injuries victims may experience include tinnitus (ringing in the ear), hyperacusis (auditory hypersensitivity), vertigo, and/or balance disturbances.
• Internal bleeding: When an airbag explodes, it may send shrapnel into the vehicle, which can damage organs and ribs, rupture aortas and spleens, and damage blood vessels that can't clot or repair themselves. In some cases, internal bleeding may lead to cardiac arrest and even death.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an exploding airbag, do not wait to seek medical attention, as some injuries may not be immediately visible. Victims have reported not detecting their injuries until days or even weeks after the incident. For more information, it is important you contact a medical professional as soon as possible to help monitor any symptoms that may develop.

Airbags Are Becoming Ticking Time Bombs

As documented in an investigation conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), victims' claims of airbags exploding have been coming in since the 1990s. Today, tens of millions of vehicles equipped with defective airbags are under recall. However, the numbers are expected to rise as more and more auto manufacturers are being investigated for their faulty designs or the quality of materials used to manufacture airbags. Two of the most documented recalls for exploding airbags include those from Takata, and ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Takata 

The Takata airbags were created by the now-bankrupt Japanese company, Takata Corporation, and were mostly installed in vehicles from the early 2000s through 2015. Multiple complaints issued by vehicle owners or their loved ones prompted an investigation by the NHTSA into the airbags, where it was uncovered that the root of the issue behind the defective airbags was caused by the faulty design and the chemical compound the company used to inflate the airbags.

According to the agency, the airbag design had a metal cartridge loaded with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, a cost-efficient fertilizer and highly flammable chemical typically found in explosives. When loaded into the inflator, Takata did not include a chemical drying agent. Without the drying agent, environmental moisture, high temperatures, and the overall aging of the airbag can cause the inflator's housing to rupture in the case of an accident or, in some instances, environmental changes. 

This rupture is capable of propelling metal shards from the airbag throughout the passenger cabin, leaving those in the vehicle either severely injured or dead. Since 2009, there have been over 30 deaths reported worldwide, 27 of which were in the U.S.

ARC

The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation first opened its investigation into the ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems inflators (PE15-027) in July 2015 after receiving reports of ruptures from two vehicles. The investigation uncovered that the ARC airbag inflators suffered from a manufacturing problem. In a letter addressed to Steve Gold, Vice-President of Product Integrity at ARC Automotive, Inc., the NHTSA reported that the issues were caused by a weld slag that could become dislodged and cause a blockage of the inflator exit orifice when the airbag deploys. 

The blockage would also cause over-pressurization and the rupture of the inflator, leading to the potential forced propulsion of shrapnel or metal fragments from the inflator into the passenger compartment. However, despite the evidence, ARC has adamantly fought back against the claims. In a letter returned to the agency, Gold claimed that ARC's findings revealed that the issues related to the incidents did not correlate as a recurring issue, and the extensive testing of their product resulted in no failures of the inflators.

NHTSA Issues Another Takata Airbag Recall

The NHTSA has also issued another recall that involves the Takata airbags built with non-azide driver inflators (NADI). Similar to the initial recall, the Takata airbags built with NADI inflators are at risk of exploding; however, they are also at risk of not inflating properly when triggered to deploy. According to the agency, the issue stems from a faulty seal on the inflator that allows moisture to seep into the propellant used to inflate the airbag. This can cause the airbag to deploy slowly in the event of a crash or aggressively and even explode.

The NADI recall includes millions of vehicles manufactured by BMW, Audi, Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi. 

How You Can Learn if Your Vehicle Is at Risk

Vehicle owners who suspect their vehicle may be recalled due to the risk of an exploding airbag may inquire with their vehicle company or by entering their vehicle's 17-digit vehicle identification number ("VIN") on the NHTSA's "Recalls Look-up Tool." Drivers can locate their vehicle's VIN on the lower left of their car's windshield or on their car's registration card. In some cases, drivers will find their VIN shown on their insurance card. 

The NHTSA has also provided a list of the specific vehicles directly affected by the defective Takata airbag inflators. Under the vehicle list, the NHTSA has created a priority system based on the area your vehicle is registered. Depending on your area, your vehicle may be more susceptible to malfunctions or explosions due to the different levels of temperature and humidity. Currently, your vehicle may be listed under one of three zones which include:

• Zone A: Hot & Humid
• Zone B: Less Hot & Humid
• Zone C: Least Hot & Humid

If you are still uncertain if your vehicle is affected or registered on the NHTSA's website, you can contact your vehicle manufacturer or your local dealership to learn more. Certain vehicles under Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac, and Toyota are also included in a "DO NOT DRIVE" warning as they are at a far higher risk for an airbag explosion that could injure or kill vehicle occupants.

Injured by an Exploding Airbag? Connect With a Defective Airbag Attorney Today

With millions of vehicles on the road equipped with defective airbags, it is critical for you to hire the right attorney should you or a loved one suffer an injury. Speaking with an experienced defective airbag attorney will significantly increase your odds of recovering compensation after you've been injured or have lost a loved one due to an exploding airbag. At Morgan & Morgan, our law firm has over 35 years of experience, and we've helped thousands of clients get the justice they deserve, and we want to help you, too. 

Working with a Morgan & Morgan attorney will guarantee that you and your loved ones have the strongest case moving forward. Connecting with a defective airbag attorney is easier than you think. If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to an exploding airbag, a Morgan & Morgan attorney may be able to help you. Learn more about your exploding airbag case and how an attorney can help you recover the compensation you and your loved ones deserve by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.