Do I Still Have a Case if the Airbags in my Vehicle Never Deployed During a Crash?
Airbags are meant to offer protection from severe injury during a serious crash. However, there are some accidents in which they do not deploy. This often raises questions about whether injury victims may still be able to pursue compensation.
Our car accident lawyers in the Sacramento area are prepared to discuss the facts of your claim during a free consultation to determine why the airbags in your vehicle did not deploy and what your legal options may be for pursuing compensation.
SCENARIOS WHEN AIRBAGS SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DEPLOY
The airbags in a vehicle are meant to deploy when there is moderate to severe impact with a solid fixture between eight and 14 mph on, or near, the front of a vehicle. If the impact to a vehicle is not near the front or is not severe enough, the sensors on the airbag deployment system may not be triggered. And therefore, the airbag should not deploy.
Airbags in vehicles should also not deploy is if there is a small person or child in the seat. Some airbags can cause serious injuries to children under 13 years old when they deploy. That is why many vehicle manufacturers have taken precautionary measures to install sensors that detect the height and weight of a passenger to prevent airbag deployment.
Many newer vehicle models also have sensors to detect whether anyone is sitting in a passenger seat where an airbag could potentially deploy if an accident occurs. If the sensor does not detect a person, the airbag should not deploy.
POSSIBLE REASONS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
If you were involved in an accident in which your airbags should have deployed, but never did, these could be some of the possible reasons, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
SENSORS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT
When the sensors that deploy the airbags in your vehicle are damaged or destroyed in an accident before they get the chance to send the signal for deployment, the airbags may not deploy.
FAILURE TO REPLACE AIRBAGS AFTER DEPLOYMENT
If you drive a used vehicle, there is a chance the airbags were never replaced, or the sensors were not reactivated if the car had previously been involved in an accident.
DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS
Sometimes an airbag may not deploy due to a manufacturing error. Whether that be a bad sensor or a faulty airbag.
CAN I STILL FILE A CLAIM?
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your damages. There are three ways this may be done:
- Filing a third-party claim through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
- Filing a product liability claim against the manufacturer for faulty airbags.
- Filing a claim against the dealership or mechanic shop that should have properly replaced the airbags/sensor after deployment.
When filing a third-party claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance, the insurer may try to devalue your claim by arguing the accident did not result in serious injuries because it was a low-impact collision that did not activate the airbag sensors. However, you do not need to be seriously injured to recover compensation, and until you see a medical professional, there is no telling how severe your injuries may be. Even in an accident with no airbag deployment.
PROVING LIABILITY FOR AIRBAG FAILURES
Cases in which the airbag failed to deploy due to manufacturing errors may be more complex, and you will need to prove:
- The airbag should have deployed but failed to do so
- The failure to deploy the airbag was a manufacturing error
- You suffered an injury due to the failure of the airbag to deploy
- The defective airbag directly caused your injuries
Obtaining the evidence needed to prove a product was defective may take time, effort and resources not directly available to you, so it is important to let an attorney help you through the process.
CALL US TODAY
If you were injured in an accident in which your vehicle’s airbags did not deploy, you may have options for recovering compensation for your damages.
Let us review your claim during a free consultation to see how we may be able to help you file a claim. There is no obligation to take legal action, and if you choose to hire us there are no upfront fees or costs. We only get paid if you receive compensation.
Call us today at (916) 777-7777
Free Case Evaluation
Client Reviews
I really love that law firm. They were on their job. They took care of me very well, and I highly recommend that law firm for any of your doings. I just wanna thank Josh and his crew for helping me all that they have. Done for me and my family.
Thank you to the Staff at Arnold Law Firm! This was my 3rd time using their services for different needs. Each time has been a smooth, honest and professional experience. They have provided me with guidance & consulting services to reach a positive outcome. Each time I have been pleasantly surprised! Thank you Arnold Law Firm! 🤗
A very special Thank You to Sal, Dominic & Jeff! 🤗🤗🤗
They always keep me up to date on my case. I also felt it was done in a timely manner!
Arnold Law firm provided me with an amazing experience. They were super communicative and assisted me with any needs or questions that I had during my journey to recovery and through financial hardship due to my car accident. I was hit by an uninsured motorist and would have been completely overwhelmed by all of the bills, paperwork, insurance nuances, and legal action needed. Jesus Garcia was an absolute pleasure to work with and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Met with a lawyer who is taking care of my wife's potential lawsuit. He was nice and his assistant is really on top of things.I'd recommend them if you need representation. No upfront costs and reasonable expectations when suit is settled.