Airbag Injuries in Charleston WV

Unfortunately, some of the worst injuries resulting from airbag malfunctions involve children. When it deploys, the sheer force of an airbag can be more than their bodies can sustain. However, countless adults have also suffered injuries due to malfunctioning airbags. Some of the most common forms of a malfunctioning airbag result from:

Faulty Crash Sensors. 

When a crash sensor isn’t working correctly, it can deploy an inflated airbag even when an accident has not occurred. Likewise, a faulty crash sensor can also be responsible for the delayed deployment of an airbag.

Horizontal Inflation Path

Airbags are meant to inflate upward first and then outward. If they don’t inflate properly, injuries are almost guaranteed.

Overly Powered Airbags

Airbag inflators work in one of two ways: single-force or multi-force. Either way, someone can get hurt if an airbag is inflated using too much power.

Faulty Internal Tethers

The internal tethers strap the airbags down. They are designed to force the airbags to inflate like a flat pillow when deployed. If these internal tethers malfunction or are missing completely, the airbag will inflate and deploy in the shape of a basketball. The difference in these shapes could mean the difference in causing unnecessary and/or additional harm due to an accident.

Lack of Proper Testing

Manufacturers are required to test airbags on a variety of crash test dummies. This is to simulate the effects airbag deployment during an accident may have on people of different shapes and sizes. If the manufacturer does not meet this requirement, some people may be at a greater risk of injury when an airbag is deployed.

Considering that an airbag is usually deployed at over 100 mph on average, it’s easier to appreciate how inherently dangerous it can be. While it’s important to remember that most airbags function perfectly, design errors like the ones mentioned above can have devastating results.

Most airbags are designed to deploy during a head-on collision, even at speeds as low as eight mph. 

For this reason, defects are taken very seriously.

Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, with a proven track record of success. We have over 35 years of experience and have recovered more than $20 billion in damages for our clients. We can work to help ensure you receive full and fair compensation. Contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists.