Airbags serve a vital safety purpose and have saved countless lives since their invention.
However, there’s also a risk that you could sustain some injuries from them during an accident, such as facial and abdominal injuries.
But can an airbag kill you?
While fatal injuries are not common airbag injuries, people have died from complications before, though the cause tends to be defective airbags or the failure to wear a seatbelt. In some situations, you might have a claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer.
Airbags can break bones due to explosive deployment speeds reaching 200 mph. Fractures often affect the ribs, sternum, collarbone, face, wrists, and arms. Although airbags reduce fatalities, their force frequently causes significant injuries.
If you have questions about airbag injuries or who is liable for your damages, please speak with an Ohio car accident lawyer at Bensinger Legal Services for a personalized consultation—simply call (419) 455-1410 or fill out the online form to schedule your free session.
In the meantime, here’s a look at seven of the most common airbag injuries.
Key Points
- Airbags can cause a range of injuries, including facial trauma, chest injuries, neck and spinal damage, soft-tissue injuries, burns, and even traumatic brain injuries during deployment.
- Airbag-related deaths are rare but possible, most commonly linked to defective airbags or failure to wear a seatbelt, which may lead to a claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer.
- If you suffer an airbag injury, immediate medical evaluation and legal consultation are critical to protect your health, document injuries, and identify who may be liable for compensation.
1. Facial Injuries
One of the most common scenarios involves facial injuries. Sudden deployment can cause airbag injuries to the face. Examples include lacerations, abrasions, and even facial fractures. Common signs and symptoms of airbag deployment injuries include redness, bruising, swelling, and facial abrasions. In severe cases, you may experience more serious conditions like orbital fractures or retinal damage. In rare instances, you might experience temporary or permanent blindness.
If you were hit in the face by an airbag, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial—especially if you have any visible injuries or facial discomfort after the accident.
Facial injuries from airbag deployment may look minor initially, but complications can develop over time. Cuts and abrasions can become infected, and blunt-force trauma to the face may damage underlying nerves or bones. Injuries near the eyes are especially concerning, as swelling or internal damage can worsen and affect vision.
In some cases, victims experience lingering numbness, chronic pain, scarring, or vision problems that interfere with daily life. Prompt medical evaluation and follow-up care are important, both to protect your health and to document the full extent of your injuries if you pursue compensation.
2. Chest Injuries
Chest injuries are another common result of airbag deployment, especially if you sit close to the steering wheel. The force exerted by the airbag can cause bruising and internal injuries. Airbags can break bones, too, such as rib fractures.
Symptoms to watch for include tenderness or pain in the chest and difficulty breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, especially when accompanied by pain during coughing or deep breathing, seek medical treatment immediately.
Chest injuries caused by airbag deployment can range from surface bruising to more serious internal trauma. Even when ribs are not fractured, the force of deployment may cause internal bruising, lung contusions, or cardiac injuries that are not immediately obvious.
Shortness of breath, chest tightness, or worsening pain hours or days after a crash may signal a serious condition. Because these injuries can progress, ongoing monitoring and diagnostic imaging are often necessary to rule out internal damage and provide proper treatment.
3. Neck and Spinal Injuries
The rapid inflation of an airbag can cause significant neck and spine injuries, including whiplash.
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, especially rear-end accidents. It occurs when the force from the accident causes your neck to jerk back and forth. This jerking motion results in soft tissue damage.
In some instances, this type of airbag injury can be more severe, involving a spinal fracture or other spinal trauma.
Symptoms can range from headaches, neck pain, and stiffness to more severe concerns, such as paralysis. These injuries can have long-lasting effects, requiring ongoing medical treatment and therapy. Get a thorough medical evaluation if you experience neck or back pain, stiffness, or dizziness following an accident.
Neck and spinal injuries caused by airbag deployment do not always present symptoms right away. While feeling the effects of whiplash immediately is common, more serious injuries such as herniated discs, spinal instability, or nerve compression may take days to emerge fully.
These injuries can affect mobility, work ability, and overall quality of life. Seeking medical evaluation as soon as symptoms appear helps establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries, which is critical if insurance companies later question the severity or timing of your condition.
Contact our Ohio personal injury lawyers for a free consultation
4. Soft Tissue Injuries
Airbags can also cause soft tissue injuries affecting tendons, muscles, and ligaments. The force from the airbag deployment can strain or cause a tear in these tissues, leading to pain and a reduced range of motion.
Symptoms of soft tissue injuries include bruising, tenderness, and swelling in the affected areas. Be mindful of any changes or discomfort post-accident. Not all soft tissue injuries manifest right away. It can sometimes take days or even weeks before you experience significant symptoms.
Soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments are frequently dismissed as minor, but they can cause persistent pain and long-term limitations. Unlike fractures, these injuries may not appear on standard X-rays, making advanced imaging and clinical evaluation essential.
Many people experience worsening stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion days after the accident. Without proper treatment, soft tissue injuries can become chronic and interfere with everyday activities, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and thorough documentation.
5. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Airbags should protect your head during an accident. However, there is still a risk of concussion or other types of brain injury.
A violent jolt or impact can cause your head to strike other vehicle parts. This motion can lead to potential head trauma. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries will vary depending on severity. They can include dizziness, confusion, persistent headaches, and, in some cases, changes in vision or behavior.
Airbags are designed to protect the head, but the rapid deceleration of a crash can still cause the brain to move within the skull, leading to concussions or other traumatic brain injuries. Loss of consciousness is not required for a brain injury to occur.
Symptoms such as confusion, memory problems, mood changes, or sensitivity to light may develop gradually. Early neurological evaluation is critical, as untreated brain injuries can have lasting cognitive and emotional effects.
6. Internal Injuries
Internal injuries can happen when the airbag exerts extreme pressure on the abdomen. Examples of internal injuries include lacerations to organs like the lungs, liver, heart, or spleen. Internal bruising or bleeding may be present.
Internal injuries caused by airbag deployment are among the most dangerous because they are not visible. The force exerted on the abdomen and chest can damage organs and cause internal bleeding that worsens over time.
Signs of internal injuries are often severe, including vomiting, abdominal pain, or a rigid abdomen. Symptoms indicative of early shock may also be present. Internal injuries can be life-threatening, which is why it’s crucial to seek medical treatment right away.
7. Burn Injuries
The chemicals released and the speed at which an airbag deploys can cause abrasions or burns, particularly on the face and arms. These injuries may occur due to heat generated during deployment or from exposure to chemical residue released when the airbag inflates.
Although they are typically less severe than other burns, they can still be very painful and require medical evaluation. In some cases, chemical burns can lead to blistering, skin irritation, or permanent scarring if not treated promptly.
Watch for swelling, redness, or other signs of skin irritation following an accident with airbag deployment. Make an appointment with a medical provider if you notice any symptoms.
Contact an Ohio Airbag Injury Lawyer
If you suffered injuries due to airbag deployment, you could have several avenues for recovery, especially if there’s a chance of airbag malfunction or defect. Whether or not you have a claim for a defective airbag, it’s crucial to seek timely medical treatment for your injuries.
Follow all advice from your medical provider and then contact a skilled Ohio airbag injury lawyer. Attorney Aaron Bensinger has years of experience helping victims recover compensation after suffering these common airbag injuries.
Please get in touch with our office today to schedule a consultation or call us at (419) 455-1410. Let us review your case and help you identify all liable parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Airbag injuries can raise questions about medical care, liability, and whether a legal claim may exist. The answers below address some of the most common concerns following an airbag deployment.
Can You File a Claim If an Airbag Caused Your Injuries?
Yes, it may be possible to pursue compensation if an airbag caused or contributed to your injuries. While airbags are designed to improve safety, injuries may still occur due to defective design, manufacturing flaws, improper deployment, or excessive force.
In some cases, liability may rest with the vehicle manufacturer, airbag manufacturer, or another responsible party. Determining who may be legally responsible often requires a careful review of the accident, the vehicle, and the airbag’s function during the crash.
Are Airbag Injuries Always Considered Minor?
No. While some common airbag injuries are relatively mild, others can be serious or even life-altering. Airbag deployment has been linked to traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, internal injuries, and significant burns.
The severity often depends on factors such as the speed of the crash, seating position, seatbelt use, and the condition of the airbag system. Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time, which is why medical evaluation is critical after any accident involving airbag deployment.
What Should You Do After Suffering an Airbag Injury?
After an accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if symptoms appear mild. Prompt treatment helps protect your health and creates documentation linking the injury to the crash. If possible, preserve evidence such as photographs of injuries, the vehicle interior, and the deployed airbag.
Avoid repairing or disposing of the vehicle until liability questions are addressed. Consulting with a lawyer can help you understand your rights, identify potential claims, and take steps to protect your ability to recover compensation.
Can Airbags Kill You?
Airbags can cause serious injuries or death despite being life-saving devices. Children, smaller adults, and unbelted passengers are most at risk due to the 300 mph deployment force. Injuries include facial fractures and chest trauma. Modern airbags use sensors and de-powered systems, but seatbelt use and 10-inch spacing are still critical. Faulty airbags like Takata inflators pose added explosion risks.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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