Airbags Cause Injuries But Save Lives as Well
A study by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that from 1987 to 2017, frontal airbags saved more than 50,000 lives. While airbags cause some injuries, the number of lives saved offsets the potential for injuries. Airbags also often reduce the severity of injuries in major crashes. Even so, airbags do come with a downside.
The NHTSA also reported 175 fatalities that were caused by airbags in the decade between 1990 and 2000. 104 of those fatalities were children, and most of the rest were female adults that were shorter than average. All of the fatalities, interestingly, occurred in low-speed accidents that the occupants would have otherwise survived.
Low Impact Airbag Injuries
Airbags have been proven to help passengers and drivers survive in a severe accident. They sometimes can cause more harm than good, however, especially when they deploy in lower impact accidents. Airbags cause significant injuries in some instances, and the likelihood of that increases if the occupant is not wearing a seatbelt.
Common Airbag Injuries
- Head injuries: Often, the face and head take the majority of the impact when an airbag deploys. This can lead to concussion, swelling of the brain, and even loss of consciousness.
- Eye injuries: Corneal abrasions are common when an airbag deploys. Other injuries to the eye caused by airbags include contusions, black eyes, and orbital injury. If the occupant is wearing glasses, they may be shattered, which could cause lacerations.
- Dental injuries: The force of airbag deployment can result in broken or chipped teeth or TMJ injuries.
- Fractures: Airbags can deploy at speeds up to 220 miles per hour. The impact can cause soft tissue injuries, as well as bone fractures to the nose, jaw, eye sockets, or other areas of the face.
- Upper body abrasions and contusions
- Airbag burns, usually to the face, arms, or chest
- Upper extremity sprains
- Whiplash or other cervical spine injuries
- Fractures to the ribs, skull, arms, wrists
- Asthma attacks (caused by dust and particles that fly from the airbag when deployed)
- Ear trauma including tinnitus and hearing loss
Airbag Deployment Problems
Airbags cause injuries even when they deploy as designed in an accident. Other times, airbags can malfunction and not perform as designed, which can also result in injuries. Some examples of these types of malfunctions:
- The airbag deploys at the wrong time or without any impact due to a sensor malfunction
- The airbag does not deploy at all at impact
- One airbag deploys but another does not
The timing with which an airbag deploys is critical. Even a fraction of a second too late can result in serious injuries due to the occupant’s head being too close to the airbag.
Preventing Airbag Injuries
Here are a few safety tips for vehicle occupants with regard to potential airbag deployment:
- Always wear a seatbelt.
- Seats should be positioned at least 10 inches back from the dashboard and steering wheel.
- Children under 12 should ride in the back seats.
- Make sure children are properly restrained in car seats or boosters for their size, age, and weight.
Watch the YouTube video put out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on ways to avoid airbag-related injuries.
Elk Grove Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Elk Grove, California. Automobile accidents happen in our area with alarming regularity. In such an accident caused by a negligent driver, you or a loved one may have suffered injuries caused by the impact or by airbag deployment. If that is the case, our firm can offer free and friendly advice at no obligation. Just call us at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, you can also use our online contact form.
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Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/crash-test-collision-60-km-h-1620608/
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