Airbag Injury

Airbags are designed and installed in vehicles to prevent people from sustaining injuries and fatalities in car accidents. However, in some unfortunate situations, airbags are the cause of injuries in collisions.

If you’ve suffered an airbag injury in Tifton, Georgia, The King Firm is here to help. Our legal team has over 16 years of combined experience and has secured millions of dollars for accident victims throughout Georgia.

Contact our Tifton airbag injury lawyers for a free consultation at (229) 386-1376. We’ll discuss the details of your auto accident, how the airbag injured you, and your options for compensation.

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How Our Tifton Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation for an Airbag Injury

Whether you were injured due to another driver’s negligence or by a defective airbag, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.

The car accident attorneys in Tifton at The King Firm will fight to recover the full extent of your losses by:

Investigating your car accident and the circumstances of your airbag deployment
Determining whether your airbag was defective
Identifying who is liable for your airbag injuries
Negotiating on your behalf throughout your personal injury claim to get you the compensation you deserve
Representing you in court if we fail to negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement

We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no obligation or risk to seek our help. Call our Tifton, GA law office today to learn more.

How Do Airbags Work?

Front and side airbags are designed to deploy in moderate and severe collisions to prevent occupants from hitting the vehicle’s interior, such as the dashboard or steering wheel.

After a moderate to severe collision with another vehicle or object, the airbag’s sensors signal inflators in the airbags to start a chemical reaction, filling the bags with gas. This causes the airbags to inflate and deploy – and it all occurs within a fraction of a second.

Immediately after airbag deployment, the bag will deflate as your body presses against it. The gas exits through tiny holes in the bag. The goal is to slow your forward motion and prevent jolting forces as much as possible.

Airbags work best when the vehicle’s occupants are wearing their seatbelts and sitting properly in their seats. Seatbelts only restrain your body, but airbags protect your head and neck from whipping forward and backward due to the forces of a car accident.

How Do Airbags Cause Injuries?

During a collision, a normally-functioning airbag deploys at a high velocity – up to 200 mph.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that people who sit too close to an airbag can be injured due to the extreme forces of airbag inflation. You should typically sit at least ten inches from the steering wheel, and the front seat passengers should sit twice that distance from the dashboard.

Children are at high risk of suffering injuries – especially head trauma – from airbags, which is why Georgia state law requires them to sit in the back seat until they’re eight years old. However, most experts recommend that children sit in the back seat until they reach the age of 13.

In addition to injuries caused by an airbag’s forces, some people may be hurt due to a defective safety device. Airbag defects can include:

A failure to deploy
Deploying too late or early
Deploying in minor collisions
Failing to inflate fully
Deploying with excessive force
Deploying incorrectly, such as when there is no impact
Sensor malfunctions
Improperly installed airbags

For example, 67 million vehicles were recently recalled to replace defective front airbags that were deploying explosively, causing metal shards from the airbag to penetrate occupants in the face and neck. At least 19 people died, and another 400 were injured by these defective airbags. The Takata airbag recall is one of the biggest safety recalls in history.

What Types of Injuries Do Airbags Cause?

Airbags typically cause injuries to the top portion of the body.

Some typical airbag injuries include:

Fractures in the facial bones and other facial injuries
Eye injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
Hearing loss and other ear injuries
Broken bones
Soft tissue damage
Neck injuries, including whiplash
Chest injuries
Fractured ribs
Cervical spinal cord damage
Internal organ damage
Back injuries
Burns and skin irritation

No matter what injuries you sustained due to an airbag, our car accident lawyers in Tifton are here to help.

Who Can Be Liable for My Airbag Injuries in Tifton, GA?

The party responsible for the airbag deployment or defective airbag will be liable for your damages.

Liable parties could include:

Negligent motorists, such as an at-fault driver
Airbag manufacturers
Airbag designers
Repair shops
Car manufacturers
Auto dealerships

Our personal injury lawyers in Tifton will work to identify every party who may share liability for your airbag-related injuries.

What Compensation Can I Recover for an Airbag Injury in Georgia?

Georgia car accident victims who sustain airbag injuries can recover economic (monetary) and non-economic (non-monetary) damages.

Economic damages might include:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Diminished earning capacity
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage

Non-economic damages might include:

Physical pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Scarring
Disfigurement
PTSD
Diminished quality of life

We’ll discuss the losses you’ve sustained due to your airbag deployment and help you calculate the value of your damages.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Tifton Car Accident Attorneys To Discuss Your Airbag Injuries

Did you sustain airbag injuries in Tifton, GA? The King Firm can help you recover fair compensation and get you back on your feet.

Schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced Tifton airbag injury attorneys to discuss your personal injury case.