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California Car Accidents: Most Common Injuries From Airbags

Ayuda California.
October 23, 2024

California roads and highways see countless car accidents each year, ranging from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions. Airbags play a crucial role in protecting vehicle occupants from severe injuries after these accidents. Unfortunately, injuries from airbags might be an inevitable consequence.

In this blog, we will explore:

The most common types of car accidents in California
The functionality of airbags
The injuries that may occur due to airbag deployment
The safety measures, medical attention, and potential legal implications related to airbag injuries

Types of California Car Accidents

The state’s diverse terrain and high population density contribute to various accident scenarios. According to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), 160,819 accidents involving injuries and fatalities occurred in 2022. Of these injuries, 76,522 injuries were speed-related, 27,712 cases involved drunk driving, and 11,403 were from distracted drivers on the road.

Airbags play a vital role in saving the driver’s and passengers’ lives in accidents like these. However, we cannot disregard the possibility of sustaining injuries as well. The common types of accident and what happens to the vehicle’s airbags in each scenario are:

Rear-End Collisions: These accidents often happen in heavy traffic when one vehicle collides with the back of another. Rear-end collisions can result in abrupt deceleration, leading to injuries from airbag deployment.
T-Bone Accidents: Intersections are hotspots for T-bone collisions, where one vehicle crashes into the side of another. In such cases, airbags are crucial in protecting passengers from side-impact injuries.
Rollover Accidents: California’s winding roads and hilly terrain increase the risk of rollover accidents. Airbags help mitigate injuries by preventing passengers from being ejected or crushed during rollovers.
Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions are some of the most severe accidents, often occurring on highways and rural roads. Airbags provide essential protection against head and chest injuries in such collisions.
Sideswipe Accidents: When two vehicles collide side-to-side, passengers may be at risk of injuries from airbag deployment, especially if the impact is strong enough to trigger the airbags.

Airbags: Laws, Functions, and Common Injuries

Airbags are an integral part of modern vehicle safety systems. These safety devices are designed to supplement seatbelts and protect occupants in the event of a collision. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 stipulates that all passenger vehicles, light trucks, and vans produced after September 1, 1998, must be furnished with front airbags designed for both the driver and front passenger.

While the FMVSS doesn’t specifically mandate side airbags, most manufacturers include them as standard features to fulfill federal regulations for side protection.

Certain states, including California, impose additional requirements for side airbags, requiring that all vehicles be equipped with them.

Their primary functions of airbags include:

Supplemental Restraint: Airbags are designed to deploy rapidly upon collision impact, providing an additional cushioning effect to reduce the force of impact on the vehicle’s occupants.
Preventing Secondary Injuries: Airbags aim to prevent passengers from hitting hard interior components, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield, during a collision.
Reducing Chest and Head Injuries: Frontal airbags are specifically designed to reduce the risk of chest and head injuries, which are common in head-on collisions.
Side-Impact Protection: Some vehicles are equipped with side-impact airbags, further enhancing safety during T-bone accidents and side collisions.
Crucial in Rollovers: Airbags play a pivotal role in preventing injuries during rollovers by keeping passengers in their seats and minimizing head and neck movements.

Common Airbag Injuries from Deployment

The activation of frontal airbags in cases involving unbelted occupants generally relies on input from a crash sensor. It occurs when the collision force simulates an impact with a solid wall at speeds ranging from 10 to 12 miles per hour. However, for belted occupants, airbags typically activate at a higher threshold, approximately 16 miles per hour. This elevated threshold is attributed to the confidence that seatbelts alone can provide adequate protection during moderate-speed collisions.

While airbags are indispensable for safeguarding vehicle occupants during accidents, they can also potentially lead to injuries, especially when deployed at high speeds and impact forces.

Some of the most common accident injuries resulting from airbag deployment include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): In high-speed collisions, the sudden inflation of the airbag can exert significant force on the head and neck, potentially leading to TBI and neck injuries.
Facial Fractures: The forceful airbag deployment can cause facial injuries such as abrasions, contusions, and fractures, especially in situations of substantial impact.
Chest and Spine Injuries: Rapid inflation and deflation of the airbag can result in back and rib fractures, including bruises and fractures. Additionally, strong pressure from the airbag may sometimes trigger asthma attacks and release toxic fumes following deployment.
Burns and Abrasions: Hot gasses released by airbags upon deployment can cause chemical burns or abrasions on the skin, particularly if the occupant is too close to the airbag at the moment of inflation. The burns are commonly associated with the chemicals produced during release, such as sodium hydroxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.
Eye Injuries: Eye injuries may occur due to contact with the airbag cover or debris generated during deployment, especially in high-impact collisions. Unfortunately, severe eye injuries may sometimes result in permanent blindness.
Ear Injuries: The loud noise and pressure wave generated during airbag deployment can potentially cause ear injuries, such as hearing loss or damage to the ears’ delicate structures.
Internal Injuries: In severe accidents, the force of airbag deployment may lead to internal injuries, including broken bones and soft tissue injuries.

Safety Measures and Precautions

To minimize the risk of airbag-related injuries, consider the following safety measures and precautions:

Maintain a Safe Distance: Ensure you sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel to reduce the risk of facial injuries.
Proper Seat Belt Use: Always wear your seatbelt correctly to complement the protective role of airbags.
Child Passenger Safety: Place children in appropriate car seats or booster seats and ensure they are securely strapped in according to their age and size.
Positioning for Short Drivers: If you are a shorter driver, tilt the steering wheel downward and use seat cushions if necessary to maintain a safe distance from the airbag, decreasing the risk of injury.

Seek Medical Attention

After a car accident, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t exhibit immediate symptoms of injury. Some kinds of injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, may manifest hours or days later.

Airbag injury symptoms can vary widely depending on factors such as the severity of the collision and the individual’s proximity to the airbag during deployment. Common airbag injury symptoms may include facial abrasions and contusions, chest pain or bruising, burns on the skin, eye irritation or injuries, hearing loss or ear damage, and in more severe cases, head and neck injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Prompt medical evaluation can help detect hidden injuries and initiate timely treatment.

Legal Implications and Seeking Compensation

In cases where injuries result from a faulty airbag or airbag deployment, accident victims may have legal recourse. It’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to assess whether you have a valid personal injury claim or an airbag injury lawsuit for proper compensation. Airbag manufacturers can be held liable for defective airbags that cause injuries, and compensation may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

FAQ About Airbag Injuries

Is it important to have OEM airbags, or can I buy replacements from any store?

OEM airbags are highly recommended for replacement purposes. OEM airbags are specifically designed and manufactured by the vehicle’s original manufacturer to meet the safety standards and specifications of that particular vehicle model. They are rigorously tested to ensure they function correctly during deployment. Using aftermarket or non-OEM airbags may pose significant safety risks, as they may not meet the same standards and could fail to protect occupants as effectively during a collision. To ensure the highest level of safety, always choose OEM airbags when replacing deployed airbags in your vehicle.

How can I file a claim for wrongful death resulting from driver fatalities due to airbag injuries?

If a driver’s fatality is believed to be due to injuries from airbags, a wrongful death claim may be pursued. To initiate such a claim, it’s advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate the circumstances and guide you through the legal process.

Are rear seats required to have airbags in California?

In California, rear seats are not required to have airbags. While federal safety standards mandate front airbags, rear-seat airbags are not compulsory. However, vehicle manufacturers may choose to include rear-seat airbags as part of their safety features.

Can airbag injuries be prevented or minimized?

While airbags are vital for occupant safety, injuries can be prevented or minimized by adhering to proper safety practices. These include maintaining a safe distance from the airbag, wearing seat belts correctly, positioning child passengers in appropriate car seats or boosters, and ensuring that occupants are not using rear-facing child seats in the front passenger seat with an active airbag. Additionally, using genuine OEM airbags for replacements and avoiding counterfeit or substandard airbags is crucial for safety.

Choose Safety. Protect Yourself on the Road

In California, car accidents are common, and airbags are essential in mitigating injuries. While airbags can sometimes cause injuries upon deployment, their overall role in vehicle safety cannot be understated.

By understanding the types of accidents in California, the purpose and design of airbags, common injuries from airbags, safety measures, and the importance of seeking medical attention, individuals can better protect themselves and their loved ones on the road. In cases of airbag-related injuries due to faulty deployment, seeking legal advice from experienced personal injury lawyers in California is a crucial step toward obtaining the compensation you may be entitled to.

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