Traffic crashes are an unfortunate every day occurrence and while not all crashes cause an airbag to deploy, those that do may be more harmful. The state of Tennessee reported that more than 179,000 traffic accidents occurred in 2006 .
Tennessee records show that in 2003 approximately 37,784 car crashes involved a deployed airbag while another 371 vehicles had airbags that had been switched off. Although airbags are meant to prevent further injuries and studies show they can prevent serious head trauma, airbags can also cause their own damage.
The first reported fatality caused by an airbag was in 1990, between that time and the year 2000 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified 175 fatalities caused by airbags. A report from 2007 also found that a number of adults suffered from fatal and life-threatening injuries related to an airbag.
If you or anyone you know has been involved in an accident with a negligent driver and the victim withstood injuries by an airbag, they may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form to your right to have your case evaluated at no-cost and no-obligation.
Common Airbag Injuries
Although airbags do prevent further injuries, the substances used for deployment and the speed at which an airbag is deployed are two reasons why they may cause injuries. Advanced technology has also changed where airbags are placed, along with front airbags some vehicles may also have:
- Side Airbags
- Knee Airbags
- Seat Cushion Airbags
- Rear Curtain Airbags
Some motorcycle designs have also added airbags to absorb some of the forward energy motorcyclists experience during a motorcycle crash. The additional amount of airbags could increase the injuries a person may sustain during a car accident.
Sodium azide and guanidine nitrate are two commonly used substances in airbags, although the use of sodium oxide has decreased over the years due to its toxicity. Most commonly airbags are deployed with the aide of these substances acting as igniters and accelerants to fill the airbag. Talcum powder or corn starch is also commonly used to coat the airbag when it deploys.
The use of all these chemicals and the force of the deployment can lead to the following injuries:
- Burns
- Rashes
- Eye Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Chest Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Internal Bleeding
- Asthma Attacks
Persons involved in accidents where an airbag was deployed may also experience nose and throat irritations, and coughing fits.
Preventing Airbag Injuries
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, in 2003, more than 600 of the reported car crashes involved airbags that were turned off or not replaced. A common reason for turning an airbag off is if a child or infant is seated where an airbag may be deployed at the time of accident.
Other steps to take to prevent airbag injuries include:
- Situating front seats should as far away from the airbag site as possible.
- Properly fitting specialty seats for children and infants for the correct height and weight, in Tennessee if a child is not seated in the proper type of child or booster seat the driver may be fined for the offense.
- Children under the age of 12 should be seated in the backseat.
- Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in a seat with an airbag.
Drivers and passengers should always wear a seatbelt even if an airbag is available. The use of a safety belt and proper child seat can help reduce potential injuries during a car crash.
Contact our Knoxville Lawyers Today
The types of injuries a person may sustain during a car accident are sometimes not only caused by the other vehicle, but also by the interior of your own car. If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision at the hands of a careless driver, our accident lawyers are here to help.
Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Greg Coleman Law have more than 140 years of combined legal experience and believe in fighting for the right of the individual, not the corporations. We can help guide injury victims through the entire litigation process and will fight for your MAXIMUM injury compensation.
Our main office is located in Knoxville, Tennessee but we are also eager to serve injury victims in the following areas:
- Mayville
- Clinton
- Greenville
- Marble City
- Park City
.and many more cities and towns in the Knoxville area. Contact our offices at (865) 247-0080 to discover if you are entitled to compensation for your accident injuries.
You may also contact us online by filling out the FREE CASE REVIEW form at the top right hand corner of this page its 100% free and strictly confidential.
