Defective airbags are unfortunately common. If you were injured because your airbags failed to deploy after a high-speed collision, then the car manufacturer or retailer might be liable. If your airbags didn’t deploy in a car accident, contact a car accident attorney right away.
What should I do after an accident where my airbags didn’t deploy?
There are steps you should take after an auto accident. Yet, when your airbags fail to deploy or malfunction, it becomes even more important for you to follow the right process. Here’s what you should do.
Document the scene.
Take photos of the exterior and interior of the vehicle. First, photograph the airbag and the scene of your crash. Next, write down notes about the scene and everything you remember. Finally, get contact information and statements from witnesses.
Record the incident.
Call 911 and have a police officer create a report on the accident. Request your own copy, which you can provide to your insurance company and your attorney.
Keep your vehicle in post-crash condition.
If you believe that your airbag was defective, then you need to preserve your vehicle and the evidence. Do not complete maintenance or sell your vehicle. Instead, wait for investigators to complete a vehicle inspection. Otherwise, you will lose valuable evidence that could help you in a court filing.
Consult an attorney.
You should find an experienced defective airbag attorney that has experience with product liability. They can help you establish a case and will also deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
Is the retailer or manufacturer liable?
In product liability cases, including ones where your vehicle airbags are defective, several parties can be liable for your damages. This includes a vehicle manufacturer, the airbag manufacturer, the retailer, and any intermediaries.
Most large-scale lawsuits involve more than one liable party. Until an attorney reviews the specifics of your case, it is unknown. Because determining fault is complex, you should always work with lawyers that have experience in defective vehicles.
Defective Airbags: Common Types of Failure
There are several known issues with airbags that could have caused your injuries, including:
- Failure to deploy or deployment at an incorrect time.
- Overinflation, which causes airbags to inflate at high speeds and far into the occupant’s space.
- Airbags that are untethered, causing them to take up too much vehicular space while inflating.
This is not an extensive list of all potential airbag defects; however, these are the most common. They can result in additional injuries that are sometimes fatal.
How do I know if I have a defective products case?
It can be a challenge to determine whether your airbags are defective based solely on an account of your accident. Therefore, our professionals should investigate the airbag to determine whether it worked as intended. In some cases, your airbag defect might be a new case rather than a known defect. These require you to work with an automotive expert to identify. An investigator can recreate the accident to determine the cause of your defective airbags.
Types of Compensation
Vehicle manufacturers have strict product liability, meaning that a court will side with an injured victim without proving that the vehicle or airbag manufacturers were negligent. Because of the significant injuries one can experience after an airbag failure, you may be entitled to damages which cover:
- Costs of medical care, present and future
- Loss of a loved one, income, and companionship
- Pain and suffering
Consult an Attorney if Your Airbags Didn’t Deploy
If you were injured in a car accident and believe that a defective airbag played a role, it is important to consult an experienced Boca Raton product liability attorney. They can help you identify whether a car defect was the cause of any injuries.
If you live in Florida and need a West Palm Beach product liability attorney, contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath at (561) 655-1990. We will provide you with a free consultation and help you take your next steps.
