How Serious Does a Car Accident Have to Be for Airbags to Deploy?
Airbags deploy when your vehicle hits something head-on at speeds between 8 and 14 miles per hour. However, the exact speed depends on several factors, such as the angle of the collision, where the car was impacted, and your car’s sensor calibration.
If you’ve been in an accident and noticed your airbags didn’t deploy, you’re not alone. Many accident victims are confused about when airbags should activate, and this confusion can have profound implications for your personal injury claim. Insurance companies often use airbag deployment (or lack thereof) as evidence of how severe your accident was, potentially affecting the compensation you receive.
The reality is that airbag deployment is controlled by sophisticated sensors that consider multiple factors beyond just speed. Understanding these factors can help you build a stronger case if you’ve been injured in a collision.
When you are involved in a car accident and suffer significant injuries, your first step is to contact the Scranton car accident lawyers at Munley Law. The consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
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 electronic 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 triggered, a chemical reaction occurs inside the airbag system, involving sodium azide and potassium nitrate. This activation reaction quickly produces nitrogen gas, inflating the airbag at low speeds.
The rapid inflation of the airbag fills it with nitrogen gas, creating 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 in conjunction with seatbelts is crucial for optimal protection.
Understanding how these systems work gives you insight into one of the many advanced features that keep you safe on the road.
What Causes the Airbag to Deploy in a Car Accident?
Airbags deploy during a collision event when the impact sensor detects a significant impact. When this happens, the sensor signals the electronic control unit, which activates the airbag inflator.
The direction of the collision also 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 passenger from severe injuries caused by hitting the car doors or windows.
Airbag manufacturers design these systems to work in conjunction with seatbelts, providing maximum safety benefits. Seatbelts keep you in place, while 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 severe injuries.
Why Didn’t My Airbags Go Off During My Car 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 8-14 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 issue stems from the car manufacturer, where production protocol problems occurred. 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. Our product liability attorney and truck accident lawyers understand the importance of safety and can help ensure you receive the support and compensation you need.
Can Airbag Deployment Impact My Car Accident Claim?
Yes, 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. Our experienced car accident attorneys 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, call, chat, or email us today to schedule a free consultation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Call us at (844) 686-5397 Posted in Car Accidents.
