Maryland car accident attorneys all know that airbags are designed to prevent injuries and save lives in the event of a car accident. However, airbag injuries can result to both drivers and passengers. When an airbag deploys during a crash, it does so at a very rapid speed. It’s hot and it may be covered in dust and chemicals that can cause harm. If you were injured because of an airbag, you may be entitled to compensation under certain circumstances. However, you will need Maryland car accident attorneys to assist you in holding someone accountable. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how airbags work and what can happen when they don’t deploy correctly.

How Do Airbags Work?

Airbags are usually made of nylon and inflated with argon or nitrogen. The one on the driver’s side is located in the steering wheel while the passenger airbag is on the dashboard. There may also be airbags in the doors that deploy when a side-impact crash occurs.

Your vehicle’s airbags are connected to a sensor and if the impact of a collision is significant, the sensor causes the bags to deploy. Typically, the airbags are triggered in a head-on or almost head-on crashes that occur at more than eight to ten miles per hour. The airbag deploys in around 1/20th of a second and then deflates almost right away.

Serious airbag injuries aren’t common when the devices work as they should. Usually, the most that happens is that the dust and chemicals irritate the skin and eyes. However, when airbags malfunction or deploy when they shouldn’t, they can cause life-changing injuries. Airbags can also worsen other injuries sustained in a car accident. If you believe you’ve suffered serious injuries because of your vehicle’s airbags, you should contact a Maryland car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Possible Airbag Deployment Problems

Airbag injuries often result from a malfunctioning crash sensor. If the sensor has a problem, it can cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly. For example, the device may deploy in a low-impact, low-speed collision or fail to deploy in a serious crash. Airbags can even deploy randomly when there is no crash at all. Also, a deployment that’s just a fraction of a second too late can result in injuries.

Common Types of Airbag Injuries

A number of factors help to determine just how serious airbag injuries will be. These include the design and location of the airbag, whether you were wearing a seatbelt, and the rate at which the airbag was deployed. The chemicals used inside the device can also make a difference. Some of the most common injuries are:

  • Fractures of the bones in the skull, rib cage, face, or arms
  • Burns to the chest, arms, or hands
  • Abrasions to the face, chest, or arms
  • Wrist injuries
  • Laceration to organs
  • Brain stem damage
  • Heart muscle rupture
  • Hearing loss or other ear trauma
  • Eye injuries
  • Asthma attack
  • Contusions on the face, chest arms, or knees

Who Can I Sue for My Injuries?

If your airbag malfunctioned, you may be able to get compensation. However, you will need to prove that the airbag was defective in some way. Simply suffering an injury will not give you grounds to hold someone liable. You will need to work with your attorney to ensure you have enough evidence to build a case.

It’s important that you keep the remaining parts of the airbag and ensure that no one resets the vehicle’s computer. If your vehicle was badly damaged, you should also try to keep it out of the insurance company’s hands before investigations are completed.

Your Maryland car accident attorneys will also draw on a number of resources to prove that someone else was responsible for your injuries. Usually, there are at least three possible defendants in such a lawsuit. These are:

  • The manufacturer of the car
  • The manufacturer of the airbag
  • The entity that inspected, maintained or replaced the airbag after purchase

Contact Pinder Plotkin LLC Today to Discuss Your Case

If you were involved in an accident and you believe your airbag caused or exacerbated your injuries, you may be able to hold someone responsible. However, you need to know that airbag cases can be complex and, in some cases,, there are multiple liable parties. You shouldn’t try to handle such a case on your own. Call the Maryland car accident attorneys at Pinder Plotkin LLC today and get an expert legal opinion on your case. Your first consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us.

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