- December 20, 2019
What Are Common Airbag Injuries Sustained in Maryland Auto Accidents?
Airbags were developed as a safety measure to prevent or reduce the risk of injuries in automobile accidents. The NHTSA estimates that frontal airbags saved 44,869 lives from 1987 through 2015. In 2016 alone, the NHTSA estimates that frontal airbags saved 2,756 lives. However, airbags can cause serious injuries and deaths during a car accident.
How Do Airbags Cause Injuries in a Car Accident?
In some cases, the airbags may be defective, and the defect causes an injury during an accident. Frontal airbags manufactured by Takata have been blamed for 15 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Even when an airbag is not defective, it can cause an injury or death.
Airbags deploy at an average speed of 100 miles per hour. Being hit by an object, even an airbag, traveling at that speed can cause serious injuries. Furthermore, the chemicals used to inflate the bag can cause serious burns and injuries to the face and other body parts. In some cases, the airbag may explode causing fragments to become dangerous projectiles.
Airbags that do not deploy at the correct time can also cause serious injuries. If a sensor is defective or malfunctioning, the airbag may deploy late. Even a second or two could make a huge difference during a car accident.
What are Common Airbag Injuries?
Frontal and side airbags can cause a variety of injuries. Some injuries are minor and do not cause permanent damage. However, some airbag injuries can have lasting and permanent consequences for victims.
Common airbag injuries sustained in automobile accidents include:
- Chemical burns
- Facial contusions
- Broken bones and fractures
- Abrasions, lacerations, and impact burns
- Broken ribs and rib fractures
- Trauma and strains of the neck and back
- Loss of hearing
- Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury
- Organ failure and internal bleeding
- Fractures to the fingers, nose, elbow, skull, wrist, or eye socket
- Eye injuries, including retinal detachment or tears
- Injuries to unborn children if the victim is pregnant
- Always Wear a Seatbelt
- Avoid Driving if You are Pregnant
- Follow Safe Practices for Child Restraints
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and document your injuries carefully.
- Preserve crucial evidence including all parts of the airbag.
- Do not allow your vehicle’s internal computer to be reset or erased.
- Do not allow your vehicle to be transferred to the insurance company or taken to a junkyard. You need to retain possession of your vehicle until you speak with a Maryland airbag injury lawyer, if possible.