Examining Airbag Injuries in Car Accidents

Airbags have been established as necessary safety devices in vehicles. While the benefits of airbags cannot be denied, they come with risks. When an airbag deploys inappropriately or even when it deploys as it should, it can cause injuries. Typically, those injuries are less than we would expect to see in a crash without them, but they can be substantial in some cases. 

At John Foy Injury Associates, we are familiar with injuries caused by car accidents. If you have been injured by an airbag from a car accident, it is time to consult with a reputable Atlanta car accident lawyer. When you go with us, you’ll have over two decades of experience on your side.

Airbag Function and Composition

Airbags are meant to cushion the impact in a moderate to severe collision, preventing parts of your body from hitting the insides of the vehicle structure or any other debris that may be penetrating the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that airbags deploy within 1/20 of a second after impact. The airbag inflates through a chemical reaction that creates nitrogen gas and inflates the airbag.

The chemical reaction that causes this inflation has been a significant source of injury. According to an article in Chemical and Engineering News,  the chemicals used to inflate the airbags tend to be guanidinium nitrate and not previously used sodium azide or ammonium nitrate. In some cases, the airbag is inflated without any chemical cause, but compressed air is used instead. 

Most airbags are made of nylon. A statement from Lexus says that there may be a smoky residue in the air following deployment and that this is a lubricant powder to aid in the appropriate deployment of the airbag. They also state that a small amount of sodium hydroxide may be present, which can cause irritation and should be washed away immediately. 

Causes of Airbag Injury

Just like seatbelts, even when an airbag performs appropriately, there can be some injury. However, the injuries can be substantial when something about the process goes wrong. Some of the causes of these injuries are due to factors such as:

• Deployment at the wrong time
• Shrapnel from propellant canister 
• Inflation chemistry causes too much heat
• Lubricating powders causing irritation
• Inappropriate distance from the airbag when it deploys

In recent years, Takata-manufactured airbags have been recalled. When exposed to high heat and humidity, they can explode upon inflation, sending shrapnel into the vehicle. The NHTSA reports that this malfunction has caused nearly 30 deaths. 

Airbag Injury in Car Accidents

If an airbag performs as designed, it is far less likely to cause injury. This includes ensuring that you are wearing a seatbelt, as airbags are meant to work in tandem. Failure to wear your seatbelt may result in more severe but avoidable injury. 

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries are particularly common when the steering wheel airbag inflates. This inflation may impact your face, resulting in lacerations and bruising. In some cases, it can result in nose and orbital bone fractures or breaks.

Burns

Burns can result from an error in manufacturing or airbag inflation. Friction burns are not uncommon in devices that have worked appropriately. However, chemical burns can occur if there is a problem with how the airbag inflates and you encounter residual sodium azide. 

Eye irritation or injury

Eye injury can result from impact. More commonly, irritation is seen following airbag deployment. This can result from the talc powder used to ensure appropriate inflation or from residual compounds that were not turned into Nitrogen. 

Traumatic Brain Injury

When your head rebounds quickly, it can result in a traumatic brain injury. This can happen when the timing of deployment is off, causing the airbag to deploy too early or too late. It may also happen if you are sitting too close to the steering wheel or not wearing a seatbelt. 

Ear Trauma or Hearing Loss

In some cases, you may experience a degree of trauma to the ear or hearing loss. The Society for Automotive Engineers reports that the noise from activating airbags can range from 160dBl to 178dBl. The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that hearing loss can happen at a level as low as 85 dBls.

Spinal or Neck injuries

Spinal and neck injuries occur with a strong stop or change of direction and occur similarly to traumatic brain injury.  This snapping motion can cause soft tissue damage, leading to injuries like whiplash. It may also result in painful spinal injuries like a slipped disc.

Internal Injuries

In some instances, depending on the person’s height and distance from the airbag, they may take the full impact to their chest. This impact can cause broken ribs that may cause further complications to organs. One complication of this can be a punctured lung. 

Benefits of a Car Accident Lawyer

If someone else’s negligence has caused your car accident, you deserve to have someone fighting for your right to compensation so that you can focus on your recovery. This begins with retaining a lawyer. Hiring an attorney with John Foy Injury and Associates can provide you with benefits in several ways:

• Familiarity with the process
• Understanding of the legal requirements and deadlines
• Submitting court documents 
• Negotiations
• Handling Communication

In addition to these things, your attorney can advise you on what documentation is needed and, in many cases, retrieve it for you. They may be able to connect you with specialists who are more knowledgeable about your particular injuries. Further, they can advise you in limiting your risk to your own case.

Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident

Atlanta and its surrounding areas can be a dangerous place to drive. While airbags have certainly saved many more lives than they have taken, it’s important not to overlook the injuries they can cause in the right circumstances. If you are suffering from airbag injuries following your accident, contact us at John Foy Injury Law for a free consultation and explore your legal options. 

Recovering from an injury is difficult. You can minimize risk by following manufacturer guidelines for the safest possible seating and using your seatbelt. If these actions fail you and you are still injured, we will be here.