Car Accident Airbag Injuries – What You Should Know
The moments after a car accident are chaotic. You might be sore, bruised, or dealing with more serious injuries, and one question keeps coming up: Did the airbag cause this injury?
While airbags are designed to save lives, they can also leave drivers and passengers with unexpected harm. From chest trauma and burns to facial or eye injuries, airbag injuries are more common than people realize.
If you’re searching for answers, you’re not alone. Many people want to know whether their pain is linked to the airbag’s deployment and what options they have for recovery. Understanding the types of injuries airbags can cause is the first step in getting clarity and taking action.
At The Beliz Law Firm, we’ve guided car accident victims across California through this process. With nearly two decades of experience handling personal injury claims, we help clients identify the source of their injuries, explain how the law applies, and fight for compensation when airbags cause harm.
What Are Common Types of Airbag Injuries?
The explosive force of an airbag deploying makes them effective. But it can also cause serious harm. Certain factors increase the likelihood of experiencing an airbag-related injury:
- Sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard,
- Lack of seat belt,
- Speed at the time of the crash,
- Height and body size of the victim, and
- Malfunctioning or defective airbags.
These risks can result in a wide range of injuries, some minor and some life-changing. Below are the most common airbag-related injuries that may occur after car accidents.
Airbag Injury to the Chest
The chest is one of the most vulnerable areas when an airbag deploys. The force can leave behind severe bruising or fractured ribs, and in some cases, the pressure can injure the lungs or heart.
People with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or cardiac issues, may face additional complications. An airbag injury to the chest can be particularly concerning because it can limit breathing, make movement painful, and prolong recovery well beyond the immediate aftermath of the crash.
Airbag Face Injury
Facial injuries are among the most visible consequences of airbag deployment. The impact can cause injuries such as:
- Cuts,
- Abrasions,
- Burns,
- Nasal fractures,
- Jaw injuries, and
- Dental trauma.
Beyond physical harm, airbag face injuries can leave scarring or disfigurement that affects self-confidence and may require reconstructive surgery.
Airbag Eye Injury
The chemicals and force involved in airbag deployment can damage the eyes. Common injuries include corneal abrasions, retinal tears, and even temporary blindness.
In severe cases, victims may face lasting vision impairment. An airbag eye injury can also be disruptive and interfere with work, driving, and hobbies.
Airbag Leg Injury
Although airbags are designed for upper body protection, the lower body can still be injured in a crash. The force of impact may push knees or legs into the airbag or dashboard.
Sometimes, an airbag leg injury may include:
- Bruises,
- Sprains,
- Fractures,
- Torn ligaments, and
- Nerve damage.
Some of these injuries require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, limiting mobility for months.
Airbag Arm Injury
Arms and hands are often in the direct path of the deploying airbag. Many victims instinctively raise their arms during a crash, which exposes them to fractures, sprains, and shoulder dislocations. Soft tissue injuries are also common and can lead to long-term pain or reduced range of motion.
These injuries can significantly impact work and independence because we rely on our arms for almost every daily task.
Airbag Head Injury
Airbags are meant to protect the head from striking the steering wheel or windshield, but they can still cause a head injury. The speed of deployment can lead to concussions, scalp injuries, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Victims may also suffer hearing loss from the explosive noise or burns to the skin and scalp.
Even mild head injuries can create long-lasting symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
What to Do If You Suffered an Airbag Injury
Acting quickly after an airbag injury helps protect your health, preserves essential evidence, and ensures your rights are not overlooked. Here are the key steps you should follow:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should immediately see a doctor. Airbag injuries such as internal bleeding, lung trauma, or eye damage may not show symptoms immediately, but can become serious over time.
- Document your injuries. You should take photos of visible injuries such as bruises, burns, or cuts, and keep a written journal of your symptoms and emotional struggles. This ongoing record shows how the injury continues to affect your life.
- Keep medical records and bills. You should save every test result, doctor’s note, prescription, and receipt. These documents are essential evidence for proving the financial and physical toll of your injuries.
- Report the accident. You should notify your insurance company about the accident, but be careful about what you say. Insurers often try to minimize or deny claims, so providing only necessary information protects your case.
- Contact an experienced attorney. A lawyer will gather evidence, consult medical experts, negotiate with insurers, and ensure all paperwork is filed by the deadline.
By following these steps, you safeguard both your health and your legal rights. Acting promptly helps preserve crucial evidence and ensures your case is positioned as strongly as possible.
What Happens If an Airbag Caused Your Injury?
Airbag-related injuries are taken seriously under the law, whether they stem from the crash itself, the deployment, or a defect in the system. Your case may involve several possible claims or responsible parties, depending on the circumstances.
If the airbag was defective, deployed too forcefully, or failed to function, you may have a case against the airbag manufacturer. Similarly, when airbags are installed incorrectly by the car manufacturer, they may deploy at the wrong time or with the wrong force, creating grounds for an additional claim.
An experienced attorney can determine which type of claim applies and guide you through the process so that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Contact The Beliz Law Firm About Airbag Injuries
At The Beliz Law Firm, we’ve dedicated our practice solely to personal injury law, representing victims of accidents throughout California. Attorney Michael Beliz has been practicing since 2006 and has successfully recovered millions of dollars for injured clients.
We offer:
- Personal attention,
- One-on-one communication,
- The strength of a small firm with big results, and
- Experience in personal injury law.
If you’ve suffered an airbag injury, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Contact The Beliz Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
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