Chest Trauma from Airbags
I’m Ed Smith, a Car Accident Attorney in Sacramento. Since the invention of the automobile, perhaps no development has impacted the industry more than airbags. These key devices help to cushion the impact between an individual and the inside of a car, helping to prevent serious injuries; however, misuse of airbags can lead to various types of trauma. One of the key relationships is between airbags and chest trauma. How are the two connected?
The Importance of Airbags in Cars
Over the years, cars have changed significantly. The number of cars on the road has increased dramatically as have the speeds that cars travel on the roads. Because of these conditions, the seriousness of car accidents has increased as well. Cluster on the roads leads to an increase in the chances of a collision and an increase in speed leads to an increased chance that an accident could result in traumatic injuries or wrongful death. Because of this, numerous safety interventions have been introduced to cars. Seat belts play a vital role in restraining drivers and passengers from colliding with the interior of the car or from exiting the vehicle altogether in the event of an accident. Airbags help to create a cushion-like effect inside of the car to spread out the forces on the people inside of the car over a greater period of time. This leads to a lower chance that someone could suffer a serious injury, such as a facial fracture. Airbags have also been spread out to the passenger seat, rear of the car, and even side curtain airbags. Recently, a medical paper was published discussing how airbags and seat belts are intimately connected.
Airbags and Seat Belts are Connected
The role of airbags in the car is to prevent someone from colliding with the hard surface of the interior of the car at high speed. The job of the seat belt is to restrain the people inside of the car from flying out of their seat and striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or from exiting the vehicle altogether. Because these two safety devices perform a similar job, they are intimately connected. While airbags do an important job, misuse of an airbag can also lead to serious injuries. If someone isn’t wearing their seatbelt, they could collide with the airbag at high speed. Because the airbag must inflate quickly to prevent someone from striking the steering wheel or dashboard, it is far from a soft collision. If someone flies out of their seat and strikes an airbag in the process of inflating, it is akin to being punched in the chest. People will feel this collision and could suffer serious injuries. These could include rib fractures, cardiac contusions, and even a potentially fatal collapsed lung. These are injuries that could land someone in the hospital for an extended period of time as they recover.
Complications of Chest Injuries
These major injuries could lead to some serious complications down the road. If someone fractures, their rib, a piece of this bone could break off and puncture someone’s heart or lung. This could lead to significant damage to the vital organs that require immediate surgery. These could also be costly injuries that insurance companies may hesitate to cover. Families could also be confused by the recovery process, looking for someone to turn to for assistance. This is where an experienced personal injury lawyer can act as a family’s guide through these uncharted waters. Families deserve assistance in tough times and that is exactly what a compassionate legal professional can be.
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Sacramento Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Car Accident Attorney in Sacramento. Despite the tremendous amount of development that has been completed regarding safety in motor vehicles, these devices do have the potential to backfire, leading to potentially fatal injuries. Those who have had trouble with airbags in their car should contact my office today at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400.
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