Airbag Injuries Explained: 5 Serious Risks You Should Know

Airbags are designed to save lives, but they can also cause serious injuries. While they have significantly reduced fatalities in car accidents, airbags have still been linked to injuries and even deaths.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbag-related injuries contributed to 290 deaths over a 20-year period.

How Do Airbags Work?

First introduced in the 1970s, airbags are inflatable cushions designed to deploy within milliseconds after a crash. They create a buffer between passengers and the hard surfaces inside a vehicle, preventing severe trauma. However, the high-speed deployment and chemical components of airbags can sometimes lead to significant injuries.

Here are five serious injuries that airbags can cause:

1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A forceful impact from an airbag can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—a condition that occurs when a sudden jolt or blow forces the brain to collide with the skull.

Common symptoms of a TBI include:

• Headaches and dizziness
• Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
• Vision problems and loss of balance

Severe TBIs can have long-term consequences, reducing life expectancy and quality of life.

2. Chemical Burns

Unlike traditional burns caused by fire, airbag burns are often chemical in nature.

Airbags contain sodium azide, a chemical that reacts explosively when triggered, converting to nitrogen gas to inflate the bag. This reaction can release harmful substances, causing skin irritation and chemical burns upon impact.

3. Facial Fractures (Including a Broken Nose)

The force of an airbag deployment can lead to facial fractures, particularly a broken nose. Symptoms of a nasal fracture include:

• Swelling and bruising around the eyes
• Nosebleeds and difficulty breathing
• A visibly crooked nose or deviated septum

In some cases, surgery may be required to correct severe fractures.

4. Eye Injuries and Vision Damage

Airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph, which can cause serious eye injuries upon impact. Additionally, the chemicals inside airbags may cause:

• Retinal detachment
• Corneal abrasions
• Blood accumulation around the eye

Injuries to the eye can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

5. Chest Injuries

Airbag injuries don’t just affect the head and face—they can also cause significant chest injuries, including:

• Severe bruising and pain
• Broken ribs
• Collapsed lungs
• Heart trauma

Chest injuries should be closely monitored, as they can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Can You Seek Compensation for Airbag Injuries?

Even though airbags are a critical safety feature, defects, improper installation, or unexpected malfunctions can cause preventable injuries. If you suffered an airbag-related injury, multiple parties could be held liable, including:

• A negligent driver who caused the crash
• A vehicle manufacturer if the airbag was defective
• A repair shop that improperly installed an airbag in a used car
• A government agency responsible for unsafe road conditions

Contact C&B Law Group for Legal Help

If you or a loved one suffered an airbag injury, you may be entitled to compensation. At C&B Law Group, our experienced personal injury attorneys will fight to get you the justice you deserve.

Free consultation – No risk, no obligation
You pay nothing unless we win
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Don’t let an airbag injury affect your future. Contact C&B Law Group today to discuss your case.