Driver Safety: Airbag Defects

Airbags have become an integral (and in recent years, mandatory) Safety Restraint System (SRS) in vehicles around the world. Even though airbags were developed in the 1950's, actual limited deployments in consumer vehicles didn't occur until the 1970's and it wasn't until the late 1990's that airbags became mandatory safety equipment in all vehicles in the United States.* While airbags can be a very effective means of bodily protection in a (frontal) vehicle impact, airbags themselves are inherently dangerous and can do more harm than good to a vehicle occupant, depending on the circumstances of the impact.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbags account for approximately 2,500 lives saved every year.** However, 1,000's of injuries are reported every year due to the effects of airbag deployment. Airbag deployment defects are also responsible for 100's of lives per year being lost. According to a research study conducted by the NHTSA for the years 2001 to 2006, 1400 deaths were caused by airbags not deployed in head-on collisions.***

Airbag defects can range from design flaws, poor manufacturing quality, and airbag system failures. Each year, car manufacturers recall thousands of vehicles for having airbag defects. As recently as August 2011, Chrysler recalled 376,000 Mini-Vans due to a possible leak from the air conditioning system that would damage the chip that controls airbag deployment.****

Airbags are designed to cushion the occupant from the effects of a frontal impact. Certain makes and models of vehicles also offer side curtain airbags that cushion the occupant from side related impacts. However, these types of airbags are in limited models and are not mandatory at the time of this writing.

The cushioning effect of a properly deployed airbag should ensure that the bodily injury sustained by colliding with the steering wheel, dash or windshield in a frontal impact be less traumatic than if no airbag was deployed. However, the actual act of deployment can also cause serious injury and if the airbag doesn't perform properly due to defect, it may result in severe bodily injury or death.

The following is just a small list of the severe injuries that may result from a defective airbag or even normal airbag deployment:

• Brain trauma
• Head and neck injuries
• Internal hemorrhaging of vital organs
• Facial Lacerations / burns
• Burns to the chest, arms and other extremities
• Fractures to the skull and ribcage
• Permanent eye tissue damage which could lead to blindness

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most common airbag defects are:

• Inadvertent deployment of airbags: This is potentially one of the most common and most dangerous airbag defects. For some (known or unknown) reason due to design, manufacturing, or programming errors, an SRS malfunction may cause the airbag to deploy when the airbag's sensors have not detected an impact. This misfire can cause serious injuries. It may also cause an accident when no other conditions existed prior to the inadvertent airbag deployment.
• Late deployment of airbags: Another serious airbag defect is when the airbag deploys later than it is designed to. Upon a detected impact, the airbag's sensor system should send a signal to deploy the airbag within milliseconds. If there is any delay in this signal due to design, manufacturing, or sensor error, the airbag will deploy after the time it would have been effective and may even cause additional bodily injury.
• Failure of an airbag to deploy: Unfortunately, as the complexity of SRS airbags continue to rise, the door is left open for more chances of an airbag failure to deploy due to system malfunction. Depending on conditions, a deployed as designed airbag could possibly prevent serious injury or death where as a non-deployed airbag may cause such an injury or fatality.

FAQ

Q: I received a recall notice from my vehicle's manufacturer. Should I bring my vehicle in to the dealership or can I just take it to the "corner mechanic"?

A: You should always bring your vehicle in to the manufacturer's dealership for any recall-related matters. Your "corner mechanic" my not be certified to conduct manufacturer-approved repairs. The dealership also guarantees the work should repairs result in damage to the vehicle or bodily injury.

Q:  The airbag light on my instrument panel remains continually lit. Should I bring my vehicle in for inspection/repair?

A: Yes. An illuminated airbag light indicates a problem with the airbag sensor system or the airbag itself. Always bring your vehicle to the manufacturer's dealership for safety equipment related repairs. An accident can occur at any time, and having a properly functioning airbag system can save your life or the life a loved one. Any warning lights should receive the prompt attention of a dealership mechanic. In many cases, airbag malfunctioning is covered under the vehicle's warranty. Ask your dealership about the possibility of receiving such repairs free of charge under the manufacturer's warranty or extended vehicle warranty.

Q: I've been injured in an accident and I believe that a defective airbag may have been the primary cause of my injuries. What should I do?

A: If you've been injured because of an airbag malfunction seek assistance from a personal injury attorney immediately. Receiving prompt legal counsel regarding your case can help get you compensation for your medical expenses and vehicle repair bills. Taking action against those parties responsible for defective airbags also helps remove such harmful products from the consumer market, where others can be hurt as well.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective airbag, contact the lawyers at Sweeney Law Firm now to see if you have a case. The initial consultation is free, and if we agree to accept your case, we will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a settlement or recovery of funds.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag
** http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/esv/esv18/CD/Files/18ESV-000500.pdf
*** http://www.free-press-release.com/news-air-bags-kill-1254988251.html
**** http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/08/chrysler-recalls-2008-minivans-again-for-exploding-air-bags-/1