Airbags are designed to provide a cushion for the vehicle driver and passengers to help minimize the impact of a collision. It is estimated that a properly functioning airbag will reduce the risk of fatal injury by 30 percent. When the airbag module is defective and fails to perform its proper role, drivers and passengers can be at risk of significant physical injury. An airbag malfunction can be caused by a number of issues, which include:
- Poorly manufactured 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 often do not work when the car is turned off. Some vehicles may suffer from faulty ignition switches, where the car will turn off while driving because of unintentional contact between the driver and the keychain. 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.
- Lack of side curtain or canopy airbag systems.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective automobile please contact the attorneys at Pope McGlamry, we will ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. For a free case evaluation please contact out attorneys at (Atlanta-877-285-7656 or Columbus-877-265-7656) or contact us online.