Do Airbags Hurt When They Deploy?
Since 1999, frontal airbags have been required as standard equipment in all passenger vehicles. When they deploy correctly, they provide extra protection from serious injuries for drivers and passengers involved in a crash.
Even though airbags are a vital safety feature in modern automobiles, they can result in injury. When they deploy, they can hurt and leave you with additional injuries after a car accident.
How Can Airbags Cause Injuries in a Car Crash?
When airbags deploy, they can do so at speeds up to 100 mph. If the airbag has a defect with the sensor, it may deploy later than it should, which can position your body too close to it, resulting in injuries. Sometimes, the chemicals used to deploy the airbags may also cause harm to accident victims.
Airbags can cause injuries to the face, breaking the jaw bone or nose. They may even cause eye injuries that result in temporary or permanent blindness. While the face is prone to injuries from airbags, you may also be hurt from an airbag when it collides with your body as you are thrust forward in the crash.
You may have soft tissue damage in your abdominal region or broken ribs from the impact with the airbag. Chemical burns from sodium hydroxide, the aerosol that is used to deploy the airbag are also common. If the airbag is faulty, it may project metal fragments toward you and your passengers, causing serious lacerations that could become life-threatening.
When an airbag deploys, it doesn’t feel like you’re being cushioned by a pillow. It will feel like you’re being kicked in the face and gut simultaneously. While airbags certainly do save lives and protect from serious injuries in most accidents, they can contribute to your injuries.
How to Prevent Airbag Injuries in Indianapolis
If you want to prevent the chance of incurring additional injuries in an Indianapolis car accident when your airbag deploys, here are some tips.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Your seatbelt is still your first line of defense in any car accident. It can keep you from moving too far forward into the area where the airbag will deploy.
Sit Further Away from the Steering Wheel
Slide your seat back as far as you can without compromising your ability to reach the pedals or the steering wheel.
Put Your Hands in the Right Position
While you’re driving, make sure your hands are holding the wheel at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions. This will keep your wrists clear of the area in the event the airbag deploys.
Never Put Your Feet on the Dashboard
For passengers in the front seat, never prop your feet up on the dashboard while the car is on the road. If there’s an accident and the airbags deploy, you may break both legs and shatter your pelvis.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstances of getting into a car accident, make sure you contact a vehicle collision attorney. They can investigate the accident to determine if your airbags were faulty and contributed to your injuries.
