In the United States, frontal airbags have been mandatory in all new passenger vehicles since 1999. Airbags are designed to inflate in the event of frontal crashes, serving to protect a person’s chest and head from striking hard structures at force. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, frontal airbags have saved more than 50,000 lives.
However, while airbags are designed to save lives, there are also instances where they can fail to protect individuals within a vehicle and even contribute to serious injuries or worse. In this blog post, your expert team at Newsome | Melton will highlight how an injury lawyer can help you with an airbag lawsuit in Orlando, FL. Let’s get started.
What Happens When an Airbag Deploys Incorrectly?
An airbag is designed to deploy in about 1/20th of a second in the event of a severe crash. There are numerous things requiring precise timings that can go wrong when an airbag deploys.
For example, an issue with the sensor might result in an airbag deploying at the wrong time, including in a non-crash situation which can leave the driver unable to see the road ahead of them.
Another possible risk is that the sensor may malfunction and not deploy the airbag when it should. The sensor may also fail to deploy all of the vehicle’s airbags (for example, the driver’s airbag deploys but the passenger’s airbag does not). The airbag may also deploy a microsecond too late, which can result in severe injuries.
Suing for Injuries Suffered When an Airbag Deployed
In the event that a person has been injured as a result of a malfunctioning airbag, they may seek compensation and justice through a personal injury claim.
In such a case, it must be proven that a component of the airbag was either designed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous or defective when it left the manufacturer. The defendants in a product liability lawsuit may be:
- The manufacturer of the vehicle
- The manufacturer of the airbag
- Whoever inspected or replaced the airbag after purchase.
It is highly recommended that you partner with an experienced injury lawyer when filing an airbag lawsuit. They will help you to understand your legal rights and options. They will also help to organize all records, obtain evidence pertaining to fault, provide liability and damages, and negotiate a satisfactory settlement.
Get Help Filing an Airbag Lawsuit in Orlando
Airbags are designed to save lives. However, when they malfunction, they can contribute to accidents that can result in serious injuries or even death. If you have suffered an injury as a result of a malfunctioning airbag, you may be entitled to justice and compensation.
To file an airbag lawsuit in Orlando, your trusted accident lawyer is Newsome | Melton. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation about your accident. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to help.