All new model vehicles such as pickups and SUVs now come equipped with airbags. When these safety devices are used appropriately, the risk of sustaining life-threatening injuries in high-impulsive collisions is reduced significantly. Irrespective of their life-saving purpose, airbags can inflict injuries upon deployment. This can be the result of incorrectly restrained occupants or malfunctions in the airbag system.
Identifying the types of injuries related to an airbag helps mitigate the risk taken by passengers and motorists. In this case, we elaborate on seven common injury types related to an airbag and the reasons why they occur.
How Airbags Work and Why Injuries Happen
Once a motor collision occurs, airbags deploy within seconds, inflating a siphon (nylon or polyester) bag that propels towards the rider, with a detonating charge, to lessen the effect. Side airbags are used to defend the torso and skull against side impacts while frontal airbags cover the head and torso in advanced-level frontal crashes.
Nonetheless, that speed of deployment — frequently faster than the blink of an eye — does have consequences. If a seatbelt is not worn, the occupant is too close to the airbag, or they are out of position due to reclined seating, the airbag will strike them before fully inflating, adding to the hurt.
Other factors can contribute, such as mechanical failures and flaws. Explosive and shrapnel-filled airbags have caused myriad recalls in the last few years. Other funding injuries include low-speed crashes that would have otherwise been trivial in nature, and somehow managing to sustain injuries through relatively gentle collisions with stationary objects.
1. Facial Injuries from Airbag Impact
Facial airbags injuries are among the most prevalent consequences of airbag deployment. The rough impact of the deflation propels them into the driver, enabling the passenger, who is securely positioned within the car, to sustain damage from deep cuts, bruises, breaks, swollen lips, and teeth – all courtesy of the airbag’s violent inflation. Furthermore, deep fractures may result if a collision occurs while the individual is in close proximity to the steering wheel or dashboard.
An individual complaining of facial trauma may have the bones of the face, including the nasal area, jaw, and cheekbones, fractured or broken. Facial and ocular trauma may also be suffered by an individual wearing spectacles whose glasses shatter on impact due to the trauma sustained. Even though these injuries can be considered ‘minor’ due to the presence of an airbag, they can still cause pain, permanent change to the person’s appearance, and seek medical attention.
2. Burns and Abrasions Caused by Deployment
The inflating of an airbag involves a chemical reaction which produces a lot of heat. Hence, it is a norm to incur thermal burns while deploying. Along with burning due to heating, friction burns also termed ‘airbag bruises’ may be sustained when the skin is in motion and rubs on the airbag fabric at high velocity.
Such burns typically occur on the arms, hands, face, and even chest. Occupants dressed in short-sleeved t-shirts are most likely to suffer from burns. Some motorists further complain of sustaining cuts on the forearms arising from the steering wheel airbag. This occurs as the drivers were turning their hands to the point of an actively deploying airbag.
If somebody does incur lasting mobility issues or other serious complications as a result of the burns or abrasions suffered, it is plausible that a settlement can be obtained with the aid of a car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer found through Mighty´s directory is part of vetted specialist registrars and is able to help in the arrangement of injuries, assessment of damages, and settlement talks with insurers or liable parties.
3. Eye Injuries and Vision Problems
During the inflation of the airbag, the eyes may sustain injuries, including corneal abrasions, eye bleeding, and in severe cases damage that results in irreversible loss of sight. During some collisions, the force at which the airbag deploys can drive spectacles into the face resulting in severe wounds and secondary trauma to the eye.
The lacerated tissues in and around the eye together with other loose tissues such as the eyelid can be easily exposed to irritative particles causing temporary ocular blindness. Such a state in multi-car or subsequent impact situations can be quite hazardous. This risk is exacerbated when the bag’s covering material is defective or when materials break away from the airbag’s casing upon activation.
Sitting with proper spacing, say around 10 inches from the steering wheel, lessens the possibility of getting eye injuries. Also, children should ideally not be put in the front seat as the airbag can be a serious threat to the eyes and head because of their smaller stature.
4. Chest and Rib Cage Injuries
The force exerted when the airbag deploys will have a significant impact on the chest region, the upper torso and the steering wheel. This is most apt with elderly people, those with certain medical ailments, or people who don’t have seat belts on. There is also the possibility of having rib fractures along with a bruised sternum or contused chest wall.
Chest injuries are bound to increase in case the seat belt locks at the same time and compresses the sternum and ribs with the forming seal. Even though the intention is to keep the person from moving, the merging of restraints and strategic air pockets in the device could result in pain or injury in cases deemed reckless.
5. Hearing Damage
The rapid deployment of an airbag creates a loud noise. In rare cases, this sudden noise ca cause hearing damage or even cases of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
6. Neck and Back Injuries
While the airbags are designed to protect the head and neck, the force of deployment can still cause or exacerbate any existing neck and back injuries. In mild cases, this would mean muscle strains, but this could become more severe such as ligament sprains or even vertebral injuries.
7. Arm, Hand, Knee or Leg Injury
The force of an airbag deployment can cause fractures, sprains and dislocations in the arms and hands, especially if they are in the path of the airbag as it expands. The impact of knees or legs against other parts of the car can also cause injuries.
Staying Safe While Not Overestimating Risks
Since their invention, airbags have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. However, like any other safety equipment, they come with their risks. Passengers and drivers can reduce the chances of injuries caused by an airbag by putting on a seatbelt, sitting properly, and keeping their vehicle maintained.
For those suffering from severe injuries due to improperly deployed airbags and defective equipment, legal action can be taken. An automobile accident lawyer can help analyze the situation and help file a claim.
Being educated on the workings of airbags can allow truck owners to make better judgments before and after the accident.
