The Most Common Defective Airbag Injuries

When an airbag is defective, it can cause severe injuries due to its force or failure to deploy. Here are the most common types of injuries that occur. If you have been injured by a defective airbag make sure you talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia. 

Facial Injuries

When an airbag hits a person’s face, the impact can be strong enough to cause broken bones and lacerations. These injuries can be painful with a lengthy recovery and sometimes cause disfigurement. The nose, jaw, and eyes are most often affected. Signs and symptoms of a facial fracture include pain, swelling or bruises, headache, tingling or numbness, swollen or flattened cheek, decreased eye movement, double or blurry vision, and more. 

Chest Injuries

When a defective airbag hits the chest, it may cause soft tissue injuries or bones such as the sternum or ribs to fracture. Casts cannot be used for chest injuries like other broken bones and may take months to heal. If a bone fracture is severe, a piece of the bone may pierce internal organs such as the heart, which will require emergency surgery. 

Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when there is a blow or jolt to the head. For example, when a defective airbag hits the head, it can result in a severe TBI. Alternatively, if the airbag fails to deploy, the head can be thrown against the vehicle or the pavement if you are thrown. Some common brain injury symptoms include loss of consciousness, persistent headache, vomiting or nausea, and seizures. Victims can be left with permanent cognitive and/or physical disabilities.  

Fetal Trauma or Miscarriage

The force of the airbag can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Common Injuries include placental abruption, damage to the fetus’s brain, fetal trauma, high-risk pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth. 

Other common injuries include:

• Severe abrasions or contusions to the arms, knees, chest, face, or even internal organs
• Burn injuries to the hands, arms, and chest
• Cervical spine injuries, including whiplash
• Sprains in the hands and wrists
• Heart muscle rupture
• Eye injuries or asthma attacks from the chemicals involved in the deployment
• Hearing loss or ear trauma

What To Do If You Think You Were Injured by a Defective Airbag

If you or a loved one suffered an airbag injury and believe the airbag was defective, the steps you take after are critical. 

• Seek medical care immediately. Even if you think your injuries are minor, they can turn out to be more severe than you initially believe. It is always best to seek medical care right after the incident, and you need medical records to link injuries to the airbag.
• Preserve any pieces of the airbag and your vehicle if possible. It may help you prove it was defective and that the manufacturer is responsible. 
• Take photos and videos. If you can, take pictures and videos of your vehicle, airbag, and injuries. 

Lastly, speak to a Philadelphia airbag failure claims lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you determine whether the airbag manufacturer, vehicle manufacturer or another party is responsible and ensure you recover the compensation you are owed.