Airbags are designed to save lives, but their deployment can cause serious injuries during a collision. The rapid inflation and forceful impact can lead to severe trauma, particularly to the face, chest, and upper body; these injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation. If you were hurt by an airbag in a car accident, Kansas City injury attorneys share what you need to know about your options for justice and fair compensation.
How Do Airbag Injuries Happen in Car Accidents?
Airbags can cause injuries in several ways. The explosive force necessary to inflate an airbag in milliseconds can create a massive impact. Although this force is necessary to prevent collisions with the steering wheel or dashboard, it can cause serious injuries, such as:
- Facial bone fractures
- Chemical burns to the skin
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye damage and vision loss
- Skull fractures
- Dental damage
- Broken ribs
- Internal organ damage
- Hand and wrist fractures
- Permanent facial scarring
Certain airbags are also defectively designed, manufactured, or installed. These defects can cause airbags to deploy with excessive force, release harmful chemicals, or even expose drivers and passengers to shrapnel. For example, the Takata airbag recall affected over 67 million vehicles worldwide due to defective inflators that could explode and spray sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants.
Healing and Recovery from Airbag Injuries
When an airbag injury happens, the effects can be life-changing. You may need months of specialized medical treatment and rehabilitation before returning to work or daily activities. You may also face permanent disabilities such as vision loss, chronic pain, or reduced mobility that affect your quality of life for years to come.
Depending on the nature and extent of the damage, you may require emergency surgery, intensive physical therapy, and other forms of specialized medical care. It is important to seek treatment immediately after the crash to document your injuries and begin your recovery journey.
Pursuing Legal Action After an Airbag Injury in Kansas City
As the victim of an airbag injury, you have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the party responsible for the harm that you suffered. For example, the vehicle manufacturer may be liable if they installed a faulty airbag system or failed to properly test it before sale. Additionally, the airbag manufacturer could be responsible if they produced a defective product or knew about potential dangers but failed to warn consumers.
To win your case, you will need strong evidence proving the airbag defect caused your injuries. A Kansas City car accident attorney can gather your medical records, work with accident reconstruction experts, and obtain documentation about the airbag’s design and manufacturing process. They will also investigate maintenance records, recall notices, and similar incidents involving the same airbag model to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Review Your Airbag Injury Case with Our Attorneys Today
If you have suffered injuries from a deployed or defective airbag, speak with a personal injury lawyer in Kansas City to find out if you may have grounds for legal action. With over 100 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Dollar, Burns, Becker, & Hershewe can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at (816) 876-2600 for a free case evaluation with our Kansas City car accident lawyers.