Airbags are designed to deploy instantly in a crash to protect drivers and passengers from severe injuries. When they fail, the results can be devastating. A malfunctioning airbag may cause injuries in a car accident to be far worse than they would have been with proper protection — a Fort Myers car accident lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation for injuries and damages.
Learning why airbags sometimes do not deploy can help you take the right steps to protect your health and legal rights. This blog post will cover what you need to know.
Common Reasons Airbags Fail To Deploy
There are several potential reasons an airbag might not inflate in a collision. Some relate to the design of the system, while others involve defects or improper maintenance.
Impact Severity and Sensor Placement
Airbags are triggered by sensors that detect sudden deceleration or impact. If the force of the collision does not meet the system’s threshold, the airbags may not deploy. In some cases, the sensors may be positioned in a way that does not register certain types of crashes, such as side impacts or low-speed collisions.
Defective Airbag Components
Manufacturing defects can prevent an airbag from working as intended. This can include faulty inflators, wiring problems, or defective sensors. Some of these defects have led to major recalls, including the widespread Takata airbag recall.
Electrical or Software Malfunctions
The deployment process relies on precise communication between sensors, wiring, and the airbag control module. Electrical failures or corrupted software can interrupt this process, leaving occupants unprotected.
Previous Deployment or Improper Installation
If a vehicle has been in a prior accident, the airbags may have already deployed and not been replaced properly. Faulty installation after repairs can also cause the system to fail.
Intentional Non-Deployment for Safety
In rare cases, airbags are intentionally designed not to deploy in certain low-speed crashes to prevent unnecessary injuries from airbag force. While this is part of the design, it can leave drivers confused after an accident.
What To Do After an Airbag Fails in a Florida Car Accident
If your airbag did not deploy during an accident, taking the right steps can help protect your health and any potential legal claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention: Some injuries take hours or days to appear such as spinal injuries, so take this step even if you aren’t obviously injured. Prompt treatment also creates documentation for your claim.
- Preserve your vehicle: Do not allow the car to be repaired or destroyed before it is inspected by an expert. The airbag system should be examined to determine why it failed.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene. Get copies of the police report and any witness statements.
- Check for recalls: Research whether your make and model has been subject to airbag recalls. This can be critical in proving a defect.
From here, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for a free case review. An attorney can investigate the facts of your case to help you determine your best path forward for recovering compensation.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation if Your Airbag Failed
If you or a loved one were injured in a crash where the airbags did not deploy, it is important to act quickly. Preserving evidence and starting an investigation early can make a significant difference in the success of your legal claim.
At Garvin Injury Law, our personal injury lawyers in Fort Myers offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Contact our experienced car accident attorneys today to get started.