Airbags are designed to provide a cushion for the vehicle driver and passengers to help minimize the impact of a collision. A properly functioning airbag is estimated to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 30%.
Unfortunately, when an airbag is defective and fails to perform its proper role, drivers and passengers can be at risk of significant physical injury.
Defective airbags can malfunction due to a number of issues. Some common malfunctions include:
Poorly manufactured airbag propellant wafers can be prematurely set off under certain conditions, especially in hot and humid climates. In these cases, airbags have been known to explode, firing a barrage of metal shards at the driver or passenger.
Airbags don't usually function when a car is turned off. This is a concern if a car suffers from a faulty ignition switch, where the car will turn off while driving because of unintentional contact between the driver and the key-chain. Under these circumstances, if the ignition switch problem causes an accident, the airbags may fail to deploy.
In newer vehicles, electronic sensors are responsible for switching airbags on when a driver or passenger is seated. If these sensors are defective or not working well, the airbags may fail to deploy.
In most cases, a connected series of side curtain air bags runs both sides of a vehicle and connects the side airbags to the front. The failure of these to function properly can cause serious injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag, contact our auto defect attorneys for a free case evaluation or submit your case online. In some cases airbag recalls have been issued to protect drivers. Our attorneys can help you determine whether you have a case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
