Finding a vehicle without airbags is almost impossible unless you’re into vintage cars. Airbags are a huge safety feature embraced by drivers and passengers. After all, wouldn’t you rather hit a bag filled with air than a hard dashboard or steering wheel? 

While safety is the primary, and basically the only reason, airbags are installed in vehicles, they can also have hidden dangers. The risks of suffering any of the common injuries caused by faulty airbag deployment can make you think twice about having the safety feature in your vehicle.

Frequent Causes of Airbag Injuries

Simply being forced into a deployed airbag can result in injuries ranging from mild to severe. Some other common causes of airbag injuries include a malfunction. 

The airbag can open too soon or after the accident occurs. Chemicals can leak out of faulty airbags resulting in respiratory injuries. The propellant canister used to inflate the airbag can also get loose and hit a driver or passenger in the head or face.

Even the weather can affect an airbag’s effectiveness. Extreme heat and humidity can cause airbags to deploy prematurely.

Common Injuries From Airbags

Sometimes, airbags malfunction. Other times, drivers and passengers are accidentally injured by an airbag. Even though the safety feature is effective at preventing injuries, accidents can still occur. Here’s a look at some of the common injuries caused by airbags:

Chest injuries can occur when the airbag deploys against the chest area. An injury can also occur if you’re thrust into the airbag from the force of the accident.

Hitting an airbag with your face can cause bruising and small bone fractures. Broken noses and fractured cheekbones are common facial injuries.

If you slide against an airbag, skin burns can occur. This type of injury typically occurs on the hands, arms, face, and chest.

Fractures to the ribs, wrist, or skull. A skull fracture is a serious injury requiring immediate medical attention.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This injury is frequently caused by your head hitting the airbag. An airbag deploying against your skull can also result in fractures.

The chemicals used to inflate the airbag can cause eye injuries. Loose or broken pieces of the airbag can also injure your eye.

Hitting an airbag with the side of your head can injure your ear.

Internal bleeding from damaged organs caused by hitting a deployed airbag.

Pregnant women may experience trauma to the fetus if hit in the stomach area by an inflated airbag.

While not as common as some other types of injuries, airbags can also cause asthma attacks. The chemicals used in the airbag can also lead to other respiratory issues.

Airbag injuries are more likely to occur if you’re not wearing your seatbelt. Your seatbelt helps to hold you in an upright position, against the seat back. Wearing a seatbelt is also the law for passengers and drivers, in every state except New Hampshire.

Key Steps to Take After an Airbag Injury

If you’re injured by an airbag, seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries aren’t obvious, you may still have internal damage. Whether or not you plan on pursuing a personal injury claim against the airbag or vehicle manufacturer, save all of the pieces. This includes the crash sensor typically embedded in the airbag.

When the airbag deploys after a vehicle accident, saving any evidence can get a little tricky. Do your best to save everything. If the vehicle is totaled, at least try to document the evidence. Sometimes, a few pictures of the damage are enough to provide supporting proof. 

Go ahead and notify your insurance company. There’s nothing wrong with getting the ball moving on your personal injury claim. However, don’t accept any settlement offer until you consult an airbag accident attorney.

Don’t Wait Too Long to File a Claim

Illinois allows you to file a product liability claim up to two years from the date of the accident. However, there’s no reason to wait that long. Even filing a claim a few weeks before the statute of limitations runs out may be too late. If you miss the filing deadline, there are very few exceptions. This generally means you can’t file for compensation.

Waiting to file a claim can also weaken your case. Even though you don’t have to prove negligence, you still have to show the airbag is defective. Evidence can easily get lost and this can make it difficult to prove your case. If you suffered injuries from a faulty airbag deployment, contact an Illinois personal injury attorney. You may be able to recover damages for your losses.

The post Are You At Risk Of Suffering an Airbag Injury in an Illinois Car Accident? appeared first on My Car Heaven.