Is It Possible for an Airbag to Break Your Nose?

Car wrecks are known to cause injury, even with safety features. Some of these additional safety features, like airbags, can cause injury. While they typically cause injuries less severe than the ones they prevent, 

At John Foy and Associates, we know the value of a reputable Atlanta car accident lawyer. In our 20+ years of practice, we have recovered over one billion dollars in damages for those injured. We will work on your behalf to recover the maximum compensation you are due.

Understanding Airbags

The purpose of an airbag is to provide a barrier between your body and parts of the car or items that are penetrating it. For this to be successful, the airbag must deploy at the exact right moment. Inflation a second too soon or too late can cause significant injury. 

When an impact occurs, sensors notify the airbag system to inflate. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this inflation typically occurs within 1/20 of a second. When everything goes right, the airbag can prevent significant trauma to your head and torso. 

Airbags are most commonly designed with a chemical reaction creating nitrogen gas to inflate the airbag. In some cases, these chemicals can irritate the eyes and skin and sometimes result in a reaction so hot it will cause burns. However, modern designers are developing more mechanical options that rely on compressed air for inflation. 

Conditions of Deployment

Airbags are meant to deploy in a moderate to severe impact, though the factors that determine this can be complicated. For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the airbags will deploy at different speeds depending on whether or not the occupants are wearing seatbelts.  The threshold for belted occupants is around 16mph, while the limit for unbelted passengers is lower on average, deploying at 10-12mph.

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Symptoms of a Broken Nose Following a Car Accident

A broken nose is a painful experience and a very common one in a car accident. This can occur when your face hits the steering wheel or airbag, and many people report hearing a popping or cracking sound when their nose breaks. Some of the signs of a broken nose, according to the Ear, Nose, and Throat of Georgia:

• Pain near the nose
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Change of nose shape
• Difficulty breathing
• Crackling or crunching sound with touch

Complications of a Broken Nose

As with any injury, many complications can occur from a fractured or broken nose. In the case of an airbag injury, it is not uncommon to have other neck problems under the rationale that if it is enough of an impact to break your nose, it is likely enough to cause other damage. Many people arriving at the hospital for a broken nose will also have symptoms of other head and concussive injuries for the same reason. 

Deviated Septum 

A deviated septum can occur when the wall dividing your nostrils (septum) is displaced. The result is a narrower nasal passage, which can cause you to feel like your nose is clogged. The symptoms can sometimes be managed with medications like decongestants, but they require surgery to fix entirely. 

Septal Hematoma

When you have sustained a broken nose, you may find that blood collects in the nostrils. This may occur in one or both nostrils. A septal hematoma should be corrected urgently to prevent cartilage damage. 

If you do not treat a septal hematoma quickly, the Cleveland Clinic states that it can lead to a perforated septum, collapsed nasal bridge, or necrotic tissue. A collapsed nasal bridge, also referred to as a saddle nose, frequently requires surgical intervention. This kind of complication can take up to a year to fully recover. 

Cartilage Fracture

A fracture in the cartilage is another complication that may be more commonly seen with a broken nose. This type of injury may occur with a more forceful blow. This can be a painful addition to a broken nose and may benefit from surgical intervention. 

Treating and Recovering from Nasal Fracture in a Car Accident

The recovery time for a fractured or broken nose can vary greatly. The Cleveland Clinic states that recovery can take three to six weeks to heal, depending on the severity of the break. Your course of treatment may vary from almost no medical intervention to a full surgical intervention. 

At-Home Treatment

For a minor fracture that causes misalignment or needs to be set, your treating physician may advise you to manage the symptoms at home. This may include applying ice to reduce the swelling and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. A less severe fracture may be healed in as little as three weeks, but you should consult your doctor for details regarding your specific injury. 

Manual Realignment

If the airbag impact caused a more severe break, it may require manual realignment. When a doctor determines this is necessary, they typically provide a local anesthetic for pain control. You may leave with packing in your nose or a splint that can usually be removed in a few weeks. 

Surgical Intervention

In the case of a more severe fracture or complete break of the bone or damage to the cartilage, your physician may determine that surgical intervention is most necessary. The physician may choose to complete a septoplasty to repair any damage to the septum or rhinoplasty to repair damage to the bone and cartilage of your nose. Both surgeries are generally done under general anesthesia for pain control. 

Airbags and a Broken Nose

For all of the good that airbags do, it does not come without risk. Under the right circumstances, sudden and aggressive contact with an airbag can cause a nasal fracture or a broken nose. The hope is that this injury is far less than what would occur without the airbag or if your face hit the unprotected steering wheel or dashboard. 

If a car accident and airbag deployment has caused significant injury, you will benefit from reaching out to our team at John Foy and Associates for a free case consultation. If someone else is at fault for the accident or your airbag malfunctioning, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us today to discuss your case and legal options.