How Serious Does a Collision Have to Be for Airbags to Deploy

Airbags are designed to protect you in severe crashes, but they don’t go off in every accident. In modern vehicles, airbag sensors measure the impact and determine whether airbags should be deployed. This decision is influenced by factors such as the speed you’re traveling, the type of crash, and where your vehicle is hit. Typically, airbags will deploy in collisions at speeds over 10 miles per hour. For example, if you hit a stationary object or are involved in a rear-end collision, the airbags may go off. However, seat belts alone may be enough to keep you safe in these crashes, and the airbags might not deploy.

Vehicle Safety System and Airbags

Airbags are just one part of your vehicle’s safety system. Seat belts play a critical role in keeping you secure during a crash. They hold you in place, allowing the airbags to provide maximum protection. Without a seat belt, you might be thrown forward or sideways, reducing the effectiveness of the airbags. If you’re in an accident and experience serious injuries, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away.

How Do Airbags Work?

Airbags are safety features in your car designed to save lives during a crash. When you’re driving and have a collision, sensors in the car send a signal to the electric control unit, which then activates and acts as an igniter for the airbag system. In the case of frontal airbags, these are usually located in the steering wheel for the driver and in the dashboard for the front passenger. Once they are triggered, a chemical reaction happens inside the airbag system involving sodium azide and potassium nitrate. This activation reaction quickly produces nitrogen gas, inflating the airbag at low speeds.

The fast inflation of the airbag, filling it with nitrogen gas, creates a cushion between you and the hard surfaces in the car, such as the steering wheel. This helps reduce the impact and prevents common injuries like head and chest trauma. Although airbags significantly enhance your safety, using them alongside seat belts is important for the best protection.

Understanding how these systems work gives you insight into one of the many advanced features that keep you safe on the road.

Factors That Determine Airbag Deployment

At What Speed Do Airbags Deploy?

Airbags deploy during a collision event when the impact sensor detects a significant impact, typically at speeds of 10-12 miles per hour or higher for a frontal impact. When this happens, the sensor signals to the electronic control unit, activating the airbag inflator. This causes the airbag to inflate rapidly, protecting you from hitting hard surfaces. Both the driver and passenger side airbags work this way to prevent airbag-related injuries. Proper deployment helps avoid airbag failure and ensures safety during critical collision events.

Direction of Collision (frontal, side, rear)

The direction of the collision determines the deployment of airbags because different types of impacts require different safety responses. In a serious car accident, the impact sensor detects the direction and severity of the collision. For a frontal impact, the front airbags deploy to protect you from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard. In side-impact collisions, side airbags deploy to shield you and the seat passenger from severe injuries caused by hitting the car doors or windows.

Airbag manufacturers design these systems to work in combination with seat belts, providing maximum safety benefits. Seat belts keep you in place, while the airbags cushion the blow. By understanding the direction of the collision, the airbag system can deploy the appropriate airbags to protect you effectively, minimizing the risk of fierce injuries.

Common Scenarios for Airbag Deployment

Head-on Collisions:

Occur when the front of your vehicle crashes into the front of another car or a stationary object. Airbags help cushion the impact and protect your head and chest.

Underride Collisions:

Involve a head-on crash where your car goes under the rear or side of a larger vehicle, like a truck. These are very dangerous, and airbags protect you from serious injuries.

Side-impact Collisions (T-bone crashes):

It happens when the front or rear of another vehicle hits the side of your car.
This type of accident can cause severe injuries because the sides of cars have less space to absorb the impact.
In these situations, side airbags are especially important to protect your head and chest.

Sideswipe Collisions:

Occur when the side of your car is brushed or scraped by another vehicle traveling in the same or opposite direction.
While these might seem less serious, they can still cause you to lose control and lead to more serious accidents.
Airbags can help by providing extra protection if your car spins or hits another object.

Injuries Caused by Airbags

Airbag-related injuries can occur if the deployment is too forceful or you are too close to the airbag when it inflates. These injuries are different from those caused by the collision itself. Airbag-related injuries can include:

• Burns occur from the hot gases that inflate the airbag
• Bruises
• Broken bones from the force of the airbag
• Damage to your skin or eyes from the chemicals used in the airbag

While airbags are designed to protect you, it’s important to be aware of these potential injuries. For example, if you are sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard, the rapid inflation of the airbag can cause significant harm, and the proper functioning of airbag systems helps reduce the risk of extreme injury in various types of vehicle crashes. Ensuring that your airbag system is well-maintained and that you are seated at a safe distance from the airbag can help maximize its protective benefits while minimizing the risk of airbag-related injuries. Remember, while airbags are an essential safety feature, understanding how to position yourself in your vehicle can help keep you safe from collision and airbag injuries.

Why Didn’t My Airbags Go Off During My Crash?

There are several reasons why your airbags might not have gone off during a collision:

• The impact wasn’t extreme enough. Frontal airbags typically deploy in head-on collisions at speeds of about 10-12 miles per hour or higher. If you were in a minor accident, the airbag control unit may have determined that the deployment wasn’t necessary.
• Manufacturing defects related to defective airbags, which fail to deploy even in severe accidents. This goes back to the car manufacturer where there were production protocol issues. These predicaments increase the chances of head injury and other types of head trauma because the airbag wasn’t there to cushion the impact.
• Your collision involved the side of the car.  Curtain airbags or side airbags should have been deployed, provided the collision with another vehicle was drastic enough.
• Not enough space for the airbag to inflate properly. In some cases, issues with the airbag control unit can prevent deployment, leaving you vulnerable to internal bleeding and other serious injuries.

It’s also important to note that airbags will not deploy if you sit in your car with the engine off. When the ignition is turned off, the airbags are not activated. Therefore, if you are sideswiped or rear-ended while parked, the airbags will not deploy.

Defective Airbags and Product Liability Claims

You may have a product liability claim if you were injured from a failed airbag deployment. All drivers need to have trustworthy safety features in their vehicles. These features are meant to protect you in the event of an accident, and when they fail, the consequences can be deadly.

If you have suffered injuries, contact Munley Law to discuss your product liability claim for a defective product. Munley Law understands the importance of safety and can help ensure you receive the support and compensation you need.

Common Misconceptions About Airbags

Some common misconceptions about airbags include the belief that they are the only protection you need in an accident. While airbags are essential, they are designed to work as part of a system with seat belts to provide the best protection. Another misconception is that airbags deploy in every accident. They are designed to deploy only in moderate to devastating front-end collisions to prevent traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic accident injuries. People could believe that airbags can completely prevent all injuries, but they mainly reduce the severity. As standard equipment, airbags significantly improve safety, but it’s still very important to wear your seat belt and follow safety guidelines.

Can Airbag Deployment Impact My Car Accident Claim?

Airbag deployment can impact your car accident claim. When airbags deploy during a vehicle crash, it indicates a significant impact, which can support your case when dealing with an insurance company. An experienced car accident attorney at a personal injury law firm can help you understand how this affects your claim. Airbag deployment may help prove the severity of the accident, potentially leading to higher compensation for medical expenses and other damages.

However, if the airbags didn’t deploy, it could raise questions about the severity of the crash or potential defects in the airbag design. An accident attorney can help investigate these issues and argue for your case. Additionally, if you had a previous accident where airbags were deployed, it might affect how the insurance company views your current claim. The benefit of airbags is that they provide additional protection, reducing the risk of catastrophic injuries, which can also influence the outcome of your claim.

Request a Free Consultation with Car Accident Attorneys at Munley Law

If you were injured in an accident in which your airbags deployed, the Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Munley Law can fight to recover the financial compensation you deserve. To arrange a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible, please call 844-483-1122 today.