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

While airbags are designed to enhance safety, they can occasionally cause injuries during deployment. Common airbag injuries include abrasions, contusions, fractures, and burns. These injuries typically occur due to the forceful deployment of the airbag or contact with the airbag module components. However, it is important to note that the benefits of airbags significantly outweigh the risks, as they are estimated to save thousands of lives each year.

Manufacturers continuously improve airbag designs to reduce injury risks. Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced airbag systems that take into account factors like occupant position, crash severity, and seat belt usage to deploy airbags more effectively and minimize potential injuries. It is crucial to understand that airbag injuries are relatively rare compared to the number of lives saved by these safety devices.

By following recommended safety practices, individuals can help mitigate the risk of airbag-related injuries and maximize the protective benefits of these essential vehicle safety features.

Airbag deployment can lead to a range of injuries to a number of parts of the body. The rate of steering wheel 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 frontal 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, traumatic brain injuries, 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 a steering wheel airbag injury, contact a personal injury lawyer from Goldberg Finnegan today for a free case evaluation.

Airbags are essential safety features in vehicles that can greatly reduce the risk of serious injuries during accidents. To prevent airbag-related injuries, it is crucial to follow certain guidelines from the Highway Traffic Safety Administration and safety measures. First and foremost, it is important to always wear seat belts properly.

Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts, and wearing them correctly ensures optimal protection. Drivers and passengers should also maintain a safe seating position, with the seat positioned correctly and not leaning too close to the steering wheel or dashboard.

Children should always be properly restrained in age-appropriate car seats or booster seats, as airbags can pose risks to young children due to their size and weight.

It is essential to avoid placing any objects, such as bags or accessories, on the airbag covers or within the airbag deployment zones. These objects can interfere with the airbag deployment and potentially cause injuries. By following these safety guidelines, individuals can prevent airbag injuries and ensure their effectiveness in protecting occupants during accidents.