Air bags should help to keep drivers safe (and prevent death from happening in a car accident), and they frequently do. However, improperly installed or defective air bags can result in serious injuries. Defective or malfunctioning air bags can cause chemical burns, eye injuries, severe head trauma, and possibly death. San Diego Accident Attorney Mark C. Blane has years of experience holding manufacturers responsible for product defects in San Diego County and throughout California.
Accidents Caused by Defective Air Bags
Often, injuries caused by product defects such as defective air bags are not always immediately identifiable. That is why we begin every legal case with a thorough investigation of the facts and law involved to determine all possible causes of injuries. We can retain experts to help ascertain the defective air bag that caused the bodily injury.
Air Bags Failing to Deploy
Failure to deploy is the leading cause of defective air bag-related injuries and deaths. Both new air bags and air bags that have been deployed before can fail to deploy. A brand-new air bag may be defective due to faulty parts or installation. Air bags that have been deployed before may be defective due to improper replacement or reinstallation. Unfortunately, drivers typically do not know that their air bag does not work until after an accident.
Faulty Air Bag Deployment
Air bags deploy with tremendous force, and in a major accident this force can save the driver or passenger’s life. However, if an air bag deploys due to a minor disturbance, such as a fender bender, a bump in the road or even for no reason at all, the air bag can cause broken bones, eye injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or even death. Improper air bag deployment can also cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and lead to a more severe accident.