You can be out enjoying a drive, navigating through city streets, or cruising on the highway and unexpectedly find yourself in a minor collision. Then, the airbag deploys making it an even scarier experience.
Sure, these devices are there to protect you during accidents. However, they can sometimes surprise you unpleasantly by either causing injuries from deploying too forcefully or not working correctly.
Here is what you need to know about airbag malfunctions and how to handle these tricky scenarios.
How Your Car’s Cushion Functions
So, let’s get deeper into how an airbag does its thing during those gut-wrenching moments. Think of it as a soft pillow that pops up out of nowhere to shield you right before things go south in a crash. It’s typically crafted from nylon fabric, which is sturdy yet flexible enough to handle the intense scenario.
At the moment of impact, crash sensors ignite sodium azide combined with potassium nitrate and silicon dioxide, creating nitrogen gas. This rapid influx inflates the bag full throttle so it can provide a cushy barrier between you and hard surfaces.
As soon as its job is done (fractions of seconds), tiny holes in the back start letting out the nitrogen gas, which lets the airbag deflate quickly—ensuring it does not stay puffed up for too long after its protective role is complete.
When Airbags Turn Troublesome
Even though airbags are engineered as lifesavers, in the whirlwind of an accident, sometimes, their deployment does not go exactly by the book. Late deployments can disrupt the intended safety sequence, putting passengers at risk of hitting interior car parts before inflation.
On the flip side, overly aggressive inflation has led some to suffer from burns or abrasions due to the high-speed impact of the bag itself. Additionally, sensor malfunctions could cause airbags could deploy erroneously without a crash or fail to deploy during a crash. This inconsistency adds unpredictability during collisions, arguably when drivers need reliability most.
Airbag Malfunctions Liability
If your airbag bungles due to design or manufacturing flaws, you might be looking at a product liability claim against the maker of the vehicle or airbag. However, specific details like whether another driver’s negligence caused the accident still hugely impact overall responsibility.
“In cases involving malfunctioning airbags combined with accidents caused by others’ mistakes, both parties — vehicle manufacturers and negligent drivers — could bear slices of liability depending on state laws and evidence specifics,” says Nevada car accident lawyer John Shook of Shook & Stone Personal Injury & Disability.
This notion of “shared fault” involves calculating each party’s percentage of blame for causing damages. Lawyers play a crucial role here; they gather evidence and negotiate diligently to ensure accurate fault attribution, which directly impacts compensation recovery.
Steps to Take After an Airbag Malfunction
If you face the unfortunate event of an airbag malfunction, immediate and informed actions are vital. First off, ensure your safety and well-being—get a medical check-up to document any injuries caused by the malfunction, as this could be crucial later on.
Next, preserve the scene as best you can. Do not attempt repairs or let anyone tamper with your vehicle’s airbag system; it is now key evidence. Photographs and detailed notes can also support your case immensely.
Lastly, consult with a car accident lawyer. They possess the insights needed to navigate these complex situations effectively, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable for their part in the incident.