Airbags are designed to protect drivers and passengers during collisions, deploying within milliseconds to cushion the impact and reduce the risk of serious injury. However, when these critical safety devices malfunction due to defects, they can transform from life-saving equipment into dangerous hazards that inflict severe harm. Defective airbags may fail to deploy when needed, deploy without warning during normal driving, or explode with excessive force, sending metal shrapnel into the vehicle cabin.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a defective airbag or other product, the Dominguez Law Firm can help you understand your legal options. Since our founding in 2012, our boutique injury litigation firm has been committed to achieving justice for clients throughout New Mexico, securing over $30 million in settlements and verdicts with a 99% success rate across more than 300 successfully resolved cases.
Common Types of Airbag Defects
Airbag systems are complex mechanisms that must function flawlessly in critical moments. Several types of defects can compromise their performance and create dangerous situations for vehicle occupants.
Failure to Deploy
One of the most dangerous airbag defects occurs when the system fails to deploy during a collision. This malfunction can occur due to faulty sensors that fail to detect impact, electrical system failures that prevent the deployment signal from reaching the airbag, or defective inflators that cannot initiate the necessary chemical reaction to fill the airbag. When airbags fail to deploy during significant crashes, occupants face an increased risk of striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield with devastating force.
Unintended Deployment
Equally dangerous are airbags that deploy without warning during normal driving conditions. These unexpected deployments can startle drivers, causing them to lose control of their vehicles and potentially leading to serious accidents. Unintended deployments may result from faulty sensors that misinterpret routine vibrations or bumps as collision impacts, or from electrical shorts within the airbag control module.
Explosive Deployment and Shrapnel Injuries
Some airbag defects involve inflators that rupture violently during deployment, sending metal fragments into the passenger compartment. These explosive malfunctions have been particularly prevalent in airbags manufactured with ammonium nitrate propellant, which can degrade over time when exposed to heat and humidity. The resulting explosions can cause catastrophic injuries, including lacerations, puncture wounds, blindness, and even fatalities.
Injuries Caused by Defective Airbags
The injuries sustained from defective airbags can be severe and life-altering. Victims may suffer facial injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, and eye damage from the force of deployment or shrapnel penetration. Burns and chemical exposure can occur when the airbag deploys with excessive force or when the propellant chemicals come into direct contact with skin. Hearing loss may result from the explosive sound of airbag deployment in confined spaces. Head and brain injuries are common when airbags fail to deploy, allowing occupants to strike hard surfaces within the vehicle. Victims may also experience chest and rib injuries, internal organ damage, and psychological trauma from the unexpected violence of a defective airbag deployment.
Manufacturer Liability for Defective Airbags
When airbag defects cause injuries, manufacturers can be held accountable under product liability law. These cases may involve claims of design defects, where the fundamental engineering of the airbag system is flawed, or manufacturing defects, where errors during production create dangerous variations from the intended design. Manufacturers also have a duty to warn consumers about known risks and to issue timely recalls when defects are discovered. Failure to take appropriate action when safety issues become apparent can support negligence claims and expose manufacturers to significant liability.
Notable Airbag Recalls and Legal Actions
The automotive industry has witnessed several major airbag recalls in recent years, including the Takata airbag crisis, one of the largest safety recalls in history. Tens of millions of vehicles worldwide have been recalled due to defective Takata inflators that can explode and spray metal debris into vehicle cabins. Other manufacturers have also issued recalls for various airbag defects, including unintended deployments and failures to deploy. These widespread recalls demonstrate the serious nature of airbag defects and the potential for manufacturers to distribute dangerous products on a massive scale.
Steps to Take After an Airbag-Related Injury
If you have been injured by a defective airbag, documenting the incident thoroughly is essential for any potential legal claim. Seek immediate medical attention and ensure that all injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, even if they initially seem minor. Preserve the vehicle and airbag components if possible, as these will serve as critical evidence. Document the scene with photographs showing the deployed airbag, any visible damage, and the vehicle’s position.
Obtain a copy of the accident report and gather contact information from any witnesses. Report the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which tracks vehicle safety issues and defects. Most importantly, consult with an experienced product liability attorney who can evaluate your case and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Legal Options for Victims of Defective Airbags
Victims of defective airbags may have multiple legal avenues for seeking compensation. Product liability claims against the airbag manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer can address design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn about known dangers. If the defective airbag contributed to injuries in an accident caused by another driver, victims may pursue both a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and a product liability claim against the airbag manufacturer. These cases often involve complex technical evidence and require thorough investigation to establish the defect and its connection to the injuries sustained.
Trust Dominguez Law For Your Defective Airbag Injury Case
If you have suffered injuries from a defective airbag, our team stands ready to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and serve clients throughout Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and all of New Mexico. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your case.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you hold negligent manufacturers accountable. You can also learn more about our commitment to clients and our approach to complex litigation by visiting our about page.
