What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident with Airbag Failure

what-to-do-immediately-after-a-car-accident-with-airbag-failure

After a car crash, discovering that your airbag didn't deploy can be alarming. Airbags are critical safety features meant to protect you during collisions. 

This article outlines what to do after a car accident with airbag failure, safeguarding your health and legal rights.

Keep reading for vital guidance on navigating this unexpected situation.

Key Takeaways

  • If your airbag fails in a crash, see a doctor quickly, even if you feel fine. Hidden injuries can show up later.
  • Call the police to report the accident and note that the airbags didn't deploy. Gather evidence, like photos of the scene, and talk to witnesses.
  • Keep all medical records and car parts related to the airbag failure as proof for any legal action.
  • Consult a personal injury attorney for guidance on pursuing compensation for injuries caused by defective airbags.
  • Find out why your airbag didn't open during an accident. It could be due to crash severity, sensor issues, or a problem with how your car was made.

When should airbags deploy?

Airbags are meant to pop out during big crashes to help protect you. 

They usually work when the crash is fast, if you hit something head-on or from the side, depending on where your car's crash sensors are placed.

Even with all this planning, sometimes airbags don't come out in little accidents or when you don't slow down much from front to back.

Cars have different kinds of airbags, such as side and frontal airbags. 

These bags should open up fast to keep you safe during bad crashes like rollover accidents or when a car hits another one straight on.

They need to work right because they can save you from getting hurt badly, like keeping you from hitting your head or face on the inside of your car. 

If they don’t open when they’re supposed to, it could be due to many reasons, like faulty crash sensors or computer issues that didn’t tell the airbag to deploy.

Common causes of airbag failure

Car accidents can be scary, especially if your airbags fail. 

Understanding why airbags might not work is vital for your safety. Here are some common reasons for airbag failure:

  • Crash Severity: Sometimes, the crash isn't strong enough to make the airbags come out. They're set to go off only when a crash reaches a certain speed.
  • Sensor Problems: Airbags need sensors to tell them when to deploy. The airbags will only come out if these sensors are fixed or working right.
  • Electrical Issues: Your car's electrical system controls the airbags. Bad wires or connections can stop them from working.
  • Airbag Switches: Some cars let you turn off the airbags. If someone switched them off and forgot to turn them back on, they won't deploy in a crash.
  • Software Glitches: The computer in your car runs software that decides if an airbag should deploy. Sometimes, this software has errors and needs to be fixed.
  • Defective Parts: Parts of the airbag system might need to be better made or damaged before they get put into the car.

What to Do After a Car Accident with Airbag Failure

Your priority is addressing immediate safety concerns and setting the stage for thorough documentation that can significantly impact future claims or proceedings.

Seek medical attention

Even if you feel okay after a car accident, get checked by a doctor. Airbag failures can cause hidden injuries that may not show right away. 

A medical professional can spot these issues early on.

This is important for your health and also helps with any personal injury claim down the road.

Make sure to keep all records of your visit to the doctor. This includes notes, X-rays, and any other tests they may do. 

Your health services documents are key evidence if you seek compensation later.

Contact law enforcement

Call the police right after a car accident with airbag failure. They will come to the crash site and make a report. 

This report is vital for your case. 

The officers will look at everything and write down what happened.

They also check to see if anyone broke any driving rules.

The police can find facts that help show who caused the accident. Make sure you tell them about the airbags not working right.

After talking to law enforcement, it's time to take pictures of the scene and get information from people who saw what happened.

Document the scene and collect evidence

Gather evidence immediately if you're in a car accident and the airbags fail to deploy. This helps if you decide to seek compensation.

  • Take pictures of your vehicle from different angles to show the damage and position of the cars after the crash.
  • Snap photos of the accident scene, including traffic signs, road conditions, and any skid marks on the pavement.
  • Look for cameras nearby that might have recorded the event. Ask businesses or homes if they have security footage.
  • Get names and contact details of witnesses who saw what happened. Their statements can be critical later on.
  • Keep parts of your car that failed, like the airbag system, safe. They may be critical evidence in proving a fault with the product.
  • Write down everything you can recall about the accident as soon as possible.Your memory is more apparent right after it happens.
  • Save medical records and receipts from any treatment you get because of injuries from the accident.

Understanding Medical Evaluations After Personal Injury

After a car accident where the airbag didn't work, you must get checked by a doctor immediately. 

Even if you feel okay, some injuries might not appear until later. The doctor can find these hidden problems.

They might use X-rays or other tests to see inside your body. 

This is important because it helps to start treating any injuries fast. Getting medical help also creates records that prove how the crash hurt you.

See specialists for a complete health check-up after your accident. 

It is best. 

These experts can spot all kinds of wounds, like whiplash or head trauma, which sometimes take time to feel painful.

If your face got hit because the airbag did not open, they would look for signs of facial fractures or other serious issues as well. 

Their findings are vital in building your personal injury case and claiming money for what happened to you.

Assessing Airbag System Failures

Understanding why airbags failed to deploy in your accident is crucial; uncovering this could be critical to your case, and we’ve delved into the technicalities you'll want to know.

Investigate possible reasons for non-deployment

Airbags are meant to keep you safe in a crash. Sometimes, they don't go off when they should.

  • Check the severity of the crash. Airbags might not deploy if the accident is minor or slightly slowing down.
  • Look at the airbag system itself. It could have advanced features that sometimes stop it from going off.
  • Consider car design errors. The airbag setup might have flaws that keep it from working right.
  • Think about problems with the airbag's brain, known as crash sensors and computer activation. These parts might fail and cause trouble.
  • Explore possible manufacturing mistakes. How your car was made could be why the airbags didn't come out.

Defective crash sensors and computer activation problems

Airbags are crucial for your safety in a car accident. Sometimes, they might not open because of faulty crash sensors or computer issues.

  • Crash sensors signal the airbag to deploy. If these sensors have defects, they may not tell the airbag to open during a crash.
  • Vehicle crashes can damage sensors. After an accident, check your car to ensure the sensors work right.
  • Water from floods or spills can wreck sensors. Keep the inside of your car dry and clean.
  • Wires that connect sensors might break. Check your wires regularly, especially if you notice warning lights.
  • Computer glitches can stop airbags from opening. If your car's computer acts up, have it looked at by a professional.
  • Some cars intentionally turn off airbags in small bumps to save them from big crashes. Learn about how your car decides when to use its airbags.

Determining Liability for Airbag Failures

Determining who is responsible for an improper airbag can take time and effort. 

If your airbag didn't pop open during a crash, the car maker or the company that made the airbag might have to pay you.

To do this, you need to show that the airbag should have worked, that something was wrong with it, that you got hurt because of this problem, and that you lost money or had other bad things happen because of your injuries.

Lawyers look at many things to see if someone could have made or designed an airbag better. 

They check if everything in the car was set up right and if any parts were broken before the accident.

They use rules like those from NHTSA and info about extensive recalls like Takata's to help prove their point in court. 

Your lawyer will work hard to get all the proof needed so that those who didn't take enough care will have to help cover your medical bills and other costs of getting hurt by a failed airbag.

Proving manufacturer or design defects

Figuring out who is responsible for airbag failures is just the first step. Next, you need to show that the manufacturer made a mistake when making or designing the airbag. 

If your airbags didn't open during a crash, this could be strong evidence of a defect.

You have to connect the failed deployment directly to a flaw in the product and prove it caused your injuries.

To win against big companies, you'll need solid proof. 

This includes showing something wrong with how they designed or built the airbag system and linking that problem to your accident.

Remember, claiming damages won't work out without clear evidence of both a defect and harm done because of it. 

Holding manufacturers responsible for their products' safety is tough but vital.

Seeking compensation for damages

After a car accident with airbag failure, you may have the right to get money for your losses. 

This can include bills for doctors, missed work, and even your pain and suffering. If the airbag didn't turn on when it should have and you got hurt, the company that made the car or the airbag might owe you money.

You'll need to show that they must be more careful or do something wrong.

It would help if you talked to a lawyer who knows about injuries from car accidents. They help you work with insurance companies and get all the money you deserve.

These lawyers understand Florida's no-fault laws and know how to fight against big car makers.

After "Seeking Compensation for Damages," consider getting expert legal advice to guide your next steps.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer for Airbag Failure Cases

If your airbag didn't deploy in a car crash, it's essential to consult a personal injury lawyer. 

With Ryan Hughes Law, you benefit from a knowledgeable team that simplifies the legal process, helping you understand if you're entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. 

They thoroughly investigate the cause of airbag failure, identify any negligence, and work to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Understanding your legal options and rights

Ryan Hughes Law, a no-fee personal injury law firm, provides comprehensive legal assistance in airbag failure cases. 

We offer valuable insights into your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to, especially when insurance coverage is insufficient. 

Our expertise includes:

  • Identifying manufacturing defects or negligence that led to the airbag failure.
  • You are aiming to secure maximum compensation for your injuries.
  • Medical expenses.
  • Lost wages.
  • The emotional impact of the accident.

Why choose Ryan Hughes Law?

  • No Fee Legal Help: You pay only if you get compensated.
  • Expertise in Personal Injury Law: Specializing in airbag failure cases.
  • Comprehensive Legal Guidance: Ensuring your case moves forward effectively for maximum compensation.

For expert legal assistance in airbag failure cases, contact Ryan Hughes Law for a consultation that aligns with your best interests and legal needs.

FAQs

What should I do right after a car accident if my airbags didn't open?

Check for injuries first, then call the police to report the traffic crash. Tell them your airbags failed.

How do I determine who is liable for an airbag not working in a car accident?

Talk to a law firm or get a legal consultation to help figure out if the auto manufacturer or another party was negligent with the airbag system.

Can defective airbags be part of a bigger problem that affects many people?

Yes, sometimes many people are hurt by faulty products like Takata airbags, leading to class actions or mass torts where attorneys work with many clients simultaneously.

Are there special rules about suing for an accident because of lousy front or side-impact airbags?

It depends on where you live; some places have no-fault insurance laws, and others let you file personal injury claims. A lawyer can give advice based on these rules.

What kind of money can someone get if they were hurt in an auto accident with faulty knee airbags?

They might get compensatory damages for costs like surgery, rehab, and sometimes even punitive damages if someone acted severely.

How can someone prove that their injuries came from an issue with their car's safety features like seatbelts or advanced frontal airbag systems?

The black box in cars, called an event data recorder, stores information that attorneys use as proof, police reports, and medical records.