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When airbags fail to deploy, the impact of a crash can cause far more severe injuries than expected. Defective airbags leave drivers and passengers vulnerable to head trauma, chest injuries, and even fatal consequences. In these cases, pursuing a product liability claim becomes essential to recover full and fair compensation.
If an airbag malfunction contributed to your injuries, you may have legal grounds to file a claim. This article covers liability in these cases, potential compensation, and how an Indianapolis product liability lawyer from Christie Farrell Lee & Bell can help you build a strong claim for financial recovery.
How Airbags Are Supposed to Work
Airbags are designed as supplemental safety devices, deploying in moderate to severe crashes to protect occupants from the impact. According to the NHTSA, frontal airbags have saved over 50,000 lives in the past three decades.
Deployment depends on sensors, electronic control units (ECUs), and crash impact thresholds that measure the severity of a collision. Airbags aren’t intended to deploy in minor accidents or low-speed collisions, but if the system detects that the force of impact meets the manufacturer’s threshold, the airbag inflates within milliseconds to cushion the driver and passengers.
While airbags are designed to deploy only under specific conditions, defects or malfunctions can prevent them from inflating in crashes where they should. When this happens, victims may suffer more severe injuries, giving them the right to pursue compensation through a product liability claim against the manufacturer or other responsible parties.
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Why Do Airbags Sometimes Fail to Deploy?
Some reasons why airbags may not deploy in an accident include:
- Crash force threshold not met: If the impact falls below the required level set by the manufacturer, the airbag won’t deploy.
- Sensor or electrical failures: Faulty sensors, wiring defects, or damaged ECUs can prevent the airbag from inflating during a collision.
- Defective airbag manufacturing: Some airbags, including those involved in the Takata recall, failed due to defective inflators or chemical degradation over time.
- Previous airbag deployment: If an airbag was deployed in a prior accident and not replaced, it will not activate again.
The Takata airbag recall is one of the largest in history. It affected over 100 million vehicles worldwide, including over 67 million in the U.S. alone. The recall was issued due to defective airbag inflators that could explode upon deployment and caused serious injuries and fatalities, leading to lawsuits and major legal action against manufacturers.
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How Much Can You Expect to Recover in an Airbag Failure Case?
The compensation for an airbag failure case depends on many factors. Settlements can range from thousands to millions, especially in cases involving permanent disabilities or fatalities.
Factors That Affect Settlement Value
- Extent of injuries: When airbags fail, victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), chest trauma, or broken facial bones that increase the settlement value.
- Comparative fault: Indiana law reduces compensation if the victim is partially at fault. For example, if they weren’t wearing a seatbelt, insurers may claim their negligence worsened the injuries and lower the settlement amount.
- Manufacturer vs. vehicle owner negligence: Claims against airbag manufacturers for defective products often result in higher settlements than claims against at-fault drivers.
Christie Farrell Lee & Bell has secured substantial compensation for clients injured by defective products. During a free consultation, we can assess your claim and estimate your potential compensation based on past case results.
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Who Is Liable If an Airbag Doesn’t Deploy?
Liability for an airbag failure may fall on multiple parties, including:
- Vehicle manufacturer: The automaker may be responsible if a design flaw or manufacturing defect caused the airbag failure.
- Airbag supplier: Many vehicle manufacturers source airbags from third-party suppliers, who may be liable for faulty design, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn.
- Mechanic or repair shop: If improper maintenance or faulty repairs contributed to the malfunction, the shop that serviced the vehicle may be liable.
- At-fault driver: If another driver caused the crash, they may still bear responsibility for damages, even if the airbag failed.
Understanding who can be held responsible for a car accident is essential to pursuing compensation. Our legal team thoroughly investigates airbag failure cases by examining vehicle defects, maintenance history, and crash data. By gathering compelling evidence, we build a strong case that clearly proves negligence and holds the responsible parties accountable.
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Steps to Take If Your Airbag Didn’t Deploy
Here are some steps to take after a car accident in Indiana to protect your legal rights and support a potential claim:
- Seek medical attention: Even if injuries aren’t immediately visible, internal trauma or head injuries may develop over time. Also, medical records are crucial for a legal claim.
- Preserve evidence: Don’t repair or dispose of your vehicle, as airbag module data can provide critical insights into the failure.
- Request a police report: An official crash report serves as key documentation when filing a product liability claim.
- Consult an attorney: A car accident lawyer at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell can investigate the cause of the airbag failure and pursue compensation against the responsible party.
Contact an Indiana Product Liability Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If the airbag in your vehicle failed to deploy during an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our experienced personal injury attorneys have over 40 years of experience helping injured clients across Indiana hold negligent parties accountable for their losses.
Our legal team has the knowledge and resources to win even the most complex claims. Whether conducting thorough investigations, negotiating with insurers, or fighting for fair compensation in court, we’re committed to handling every legal aspect of your case, fighting for maximum compensation while you focus on recovery.
Don’t let faulty product design or manufacturing negligence go unchallenged: schedule a free consultation to evaluate your case and discuss your legal options. Contact our Indiana product liability lawyers today to get started.
Call 317-488-5500 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form