Airbags are designed to save lives, and they usually do. However, when a car crash is severe enough to trigger them, airbags can cause unexpected injuries, such as burns, bruises, or broken bones, some of which may not appear for days. If you have airbag injuries after a California vehicle accident, you are not alone. Airbags deploy at about 150 to 200 miles per hour, and that force can still cause harm even as they protect you from more serious injuries.
Below, we’ll walk through the most common airbag-related injuries, what symptoms to watch for, and when it makes sense to talk with Steers & Associates about your options.
Why Airbags Can Injure You Even When They Help
Airbags inflate in a split second to cushion your head and upper body, reducing the risk of hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or door. They are designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, not as replacements, which is why being properly seated and belted is vital.
The main problem is physics. An airbag that bursts out quickly enough to stop your movement can also hit you hard, scrape your skin, or push your body into uncomfortable positions. Research found that individuals who are too close to the airbag or leaning forward when it deploys have a higher risk of injury from the force.
What an Injury from an Airbag Deployment Looks Like in Real Life
An injury from airbag deployment is often a mix of blunt-force impact, friction, and heat. For example, a driver in a freeway rear-end collision might walk away with a protected head but a swollen forearm from the airbag’s edge. Wrist pain from the steering wheel snapping back is also common.
The question isn’t whether airbags are “good” or “bad”, it’s whether someone’s negligence caused the crash that set everything in motion, or whether a defect made the airbag dangerously aggressive.
Most Common Airbag Injuries After a Crash
Airbag impact injuries can range from mild to severe depending on crash type, seat position, speed, and which airbags deployed (front, side, curtain, or knee). Below are the most common types of injuries we see.
Airbag Hand Injuries
Drivers often have their hands on the wheel during deployment, inches from the airbag module, so that the sudden blast can twist or jam their wrists and fingers. Common injuries include wrist sprains, fractured thumbs, dislocated fingers, and deep forearm bruises. If you felt a pop or have ongoing grip weakness, don’t dismiss it as soreness.
Airbag Injuries to Legs
Knee and lower-body airbags are more common in new vehicles and can reduce some leg trauma, but also cause their own injuries. Leg injuries often involve bruised knees or shins, ankle sprains from sudden force, and, in severe crashes, fractures from the lower dash area.
Airbag Injuries to the Chest
Front airbags hit the chest at high speed. Injuries can range from bruises to broken ribs, especially for smaller individuals or older adults. If you experience chest pain, trouble breathing, or worsening pain, seek medical attention immediately.
Other types of injuries include:
- Facial scrapes, bruises, and burns;
- Eye and vision injuries; and
- Neck and head trauma.
Airbags save lives, but you do not have to accept related injuries as an unavoidable outcome. The harm is real, and the law recognizes your rights.
Airbag Injury Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Some airbag-related injuries show up immediately. Others creep in once adrenaline wears off. Pay attention to symptoms like:
- Burning or stinging on the face, arms, or chest;
- Headaches, dizziness, confusion, or nausea;
- Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion;
- Chest pain when breathing or moving; and
- Tingling, weakness, or worsening swelling in hands or arms.
These airbag injury symptoms are worth getting checked out promptly. Aside from protecting your health, early medical records make it much harder for insurers to argue your injuries came from something else later.
Airbag Accident Injuries vs. Crash Injuries: Why the Difference Matters
Many people wonder whether their pain is caused by the crash or the airbag. Often, it is both. Airbag injuries can include burns or wrist trauma that wouldn’t occur without deployment, while the crash itself can cause more serious bone or brain injuries.
If another driver caused the collision, they are still responsible for the harm triggered by that collision, including airbag-related damage. Airbags are part of the chain of events, not a free pass for the person who caused the wreck.
What If the Airbag Didn’t Deploy?
If an airbag should have deployed in a crash but did not, that may point to a defect or sensor failure. In California, a defective airbag can result in a separate product liability case against the manufacturer, in addition to a negligence claim against the at-fault driver.
Preserving the vehicle in its post-crash condition is crucial because the airbag module data may be necessary to determine what went wrong.
When You May Need a Lawyer for Airbag Injuries in California
Minor airbag scrapes usually heal quickly. However, if you experience ongoing pain, miss work, or have increasing medical bills, speaking to an attorney may be beneficial. Insurance companies often view airbag injuries as secondary concerns or may claim that the injuries were pre-existing. In more severe cases, they might argue that the airbag functioned as intended, suggesting there is no issue.
A lawyer helps by gathering medical proof, crash evidence, and airbag module data or recall information. Federal safety agencies acknowledge that airbags can injure people who are too close to deployment or unbelted, which is why the context of your seating and restraint matters.
Experiencing AIrbag Injuries? Steers & Associates Can Help
The Law Offices of Steers & Associates has helped Californians recover after serious accidents with over 40 years of combined experience. With thousands of clients served and millions recovered, we bring significant case experience without treating you like a file in a factory. Our team communicates fast and builds claims around real-world evidence, medical records, crash mechanics, and the full effect the injury has on your life.
If airbag injuries are affecting your work, sleep, or daily life, take action now. Schedule your consultation with our legal team today to safeguard your rights and start your recovery.
Resources:
- California Legislative Information. Vehicle Code § 27317, link
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicle Air Bags and Injury Prevention, link
- World Health Organization (WHO). Road Traffic Injuries Fact Sheet link
