While meant to protect you in the event of an accident, airbags are the source of many critical injuries. While rare, airbag injuries have the potential to cause life-changing trauma. These safety devices may exacerbate accident injuries or cause harm as a result of an accidental airbag deployment.

Types of Airbag Injuries

Airbag deployment can lead to a range of injuries to a number of parts of the body. The rate of airbag deployment, chemicals used within the device, the design of the device and seat belt use all play a role in airbag-related traumas. Common types of injuries caused by airbags are:

  • Abrasions to the upper portion of the body, including arms, chest and face
  • Contusions to arms, knees, chest, face and internal organs
  • Burns to the hands, arms and chest
  • Wrist injuries and sprained fingers
  • Cervical spine injuries including fractures, strains and blunt force trauma
  • Fractures to the skull, rib cage, face, arms and wrists
  • Concussions, brain swelling, brain bruising and loss of consciousness
  • Lacerations to the liver, spleen, veins, heart, arteries, lungs and brain stem
  • Heart muscle rupture
  • Asthma attacks, coughing and throat irritations
  • Airbag dermatitis, which irritates the skin
  • Eye injuries
  • Hearing loss and other trauma to the ear
  • Internal bleeding
  • Fetal injury or puncture to the placenta in pregnant women

As you can see, the number of types of injuries potentially caused by airbags is vast. Any one of these injuries can be severe, causing chronic issues and disability. In some instances, an airbag injury could be fatal.

Airbag Injury Prevention

  • Always wear a seat belt; in 80 percent of airbag-related deaths between 1990 and 2008, the victim was not wearing a seat belt.
  • Children under 12 should ride in the back seat when possible.
  • Always use the correct car seat for your child’s height and weight.
  • Keep seats positioned at least 10 inches back from the airbag deployment area in your vehicle.
  • Keep children properly restrained and in the proper seated position at all times.

If you have sustained an airbag injury, contact a personal injury lawyer from Goldberg Finnegan today for a free case evaluation.