If you drive any vehicle manufactured in the United States within the last 25 years, it is equipped with airbags. These devices are estimated to have saved more than 50,000 lives over the last 38 years. Although they are designed to deploy in the event of a motor vehicle crash, they do not always do so. This can leave you confused and possibly injured.
A common assumption is that your airbags will deploy every time you are involved in a vehicle accident. However, there can be several reasons why your airbags do not go off. Understanding how airbags are supposed to work in the event of a collision can help you know when an airbag’s failure to deploy is normal and when it might be the result of a defect.
How Airbags Operate and When They Deploy
There is more to your car’s airbag system than a nylon bag and air. The system is controlled by a computer module that comes with tolerances preset by the manufacturer. When these tolerances are exceeded, such as when the car rapidly decelerates in a collision, the module sets off a propellant charge. This charge rapidly inflates the airbag in a fraction of a second.
Airbags are not designed to inflate in every circumstance.
For example, it is common for a driver’s or passenger’s airbag not to deploy if:
- The crash is a low-speed impact, defined as below ten to twelve miles per hour
- The car collides with a small object like a pothole or a small mammal
- You have an advanced airbag module that does not detect the presence of someone in the seat
- A child is sitting in the seat, and your advanced airbag module detects this
- You manually deactivated the airbag
If you notice that an airbag does not inflate in a car crash under any one of these circumstances, it could be that your airbag module is working as intended. Otherwise, an airbag that fails to deploy when it otherwise should have might have a defect.
Airbag Defects and What You Can Do About Them
Any product could have a manufacturing, design, or labeling defect that impacts that product’s safety. A manufacturing defect means the product in question has not been produced in accordance with specifications. A labeling defect means the product lacks the warnings and instructions consumers need to use the product safely.
A product that is unreasonably unsafe even though it is produced according to its design specifications likely has a design defect.
Each of these potential defects should be explored if you are hurt in a wreck in which your airbag didn’t deploy. A defect could result in the airbag manufacturer being responsible for paying you compensation.
If you had previously had your airbag serviced because of a recall or a deployment, the mechanic could also be liable for your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney with access to expert witnesses would need to review the repair your mechanic performed to determine whether they made any careless errors.
You Have Rights Following an Airbag-Related Injury
An airbag that fails to deploy when it should, or one that inflates when it should not, can lead to serious injuries. You have a legitimate expectation that your airbag will work properly, and it is essential to find out who is responsible when it does not. Manufacturers, mechanics, and others may all be potentially responsible for compensating you for the harm you suffered.
Contact the Tampa Car Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Tampa. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office
401 E Jackson St, Suite 3319
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500
Mark S. Roman
Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Founder
Mark S. Roman is the founder of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers and a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a credential held by fewer than 2% of Florida attorneys. A Tampa Bay native, he has practiced throughout Florida since 1986 and founded the firm in 1996 to represent injured people in his hometown.
He earned a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Florida in 1981 and his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1986. Mark is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, holds a perfect 10 AVVO rating, and belongs to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for both Pinellas and Pasco counties, chairing the Pasco committee.
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