For decades, air bags have been a cornerstone of vehicle safety. The data is undeniable: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags saved over 50,000 lives between 1987 and 2017. They are a critical safety feature designed to protect you in a moderate to severe crash.

But the very thing that makes an air bag effective—its explosive, split-second deployment—can also be a source of significant injury. When an air bag deploys, it does so with incredible force. This can lead to facial fractures, eye injuries, burns, and even internal trauma.

This creates a complex legal situation after an accident. While the air bag may have saved your life, you are still left with painful and costly injuries. Understanding your rights in this scenario is crucial, especially when an insurance company tries to downplay the harm you have suffered.

When an Air Bag Injury Becomes a Legal Case

There are two primary situations where an air bag injury can lead to a personal injury lawsuit.

1. The Other Driver Was At Fault for the Crash This is the most common scenario. Another driver’s negligence causes a car accident, and your air bags deploy as they should. While you may have avoided a more catastrophic traumatic brain injury, you are still left with injuries from the air bag itself.

In this case, the at-fault driver is responsible for all the harm that results from their negligence. This includes the injuries caused by the air bag. The insurance company does not get a “discount” on your claim just because a safety device worked as intended. We fight to ensure that your compensation covers the medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to your air bag injuries.

2. The Air Bag Was Defective (Product Liability) Sometimes, an air bag itself is the cause of the injury, either because it deployed when it shouldn’t have or because it deployed defectively. The massive Takata air bag recall, as detailed on the NHTSA’s safety page, is a prime example of this. In that case, a defect caused the inflators to explode, sending metal shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin.

This type of case is a product liability claim against the vehicle and parts manufacturers. We can hold a manufacturer liable if:

• The air bag deployed in a minor collision where it was not needed.
• The air bag deployed with excessive force.
• The air bag contained a defect, like the Takata inflators, that turned it into a hazard.
• The air bag failed to deploy in a serious crash where it should have.

The Critical Link Between Air Bags and Seat Belts

The NHTSA is clear: air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not as a replacement for them. A seat belt holds you in the proper position so the air bag can cushion you. Without a seat belt, an occupant can be thrown forward into the deploying air bag, which can be fatal. In any accident, whether it’s a passenger car or a large truck accident, proving you were properly restrained is a key part of your case.

If you have been injured in an accident, even if you believe the air bag was the primary source of your injuries, you have legal rights. It takes an experienced attorney to investigate the complex factors of the crash and determine the correct path to compensation.

Contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.