Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer - Article
Airbag Injuries
Many people take it for granted that the airbags in their cars will keep them and their passengers safe in the event of an accident. In fact, airbags are so widely trusted that the law requires all new cars to be built with them included. While it’s true that airbags have saved many people from severe injury in a collision, they can also be very dangerous. The truth is airbags deploy with more than 1200 lbs of force; in the wrong circumstances, that’s certainly enough to do plenty of damage.
Risk Factors
Certain variables commonly come into play when a person is injured by an airbag. These include:
- Short stature. Children and adults less than 5’3” are generally at eye level with a car’s airbag, putting them at a special risk. Shorter drivers also have to sit closer to the steering wheel, increasing the force with which the bag will hit them. It is recommended that passengers of this size ride in the back seat, or turn off the passenger-side airbag if that is an option.
- Incorrect posture. Airbags are designed for people who are facing forward with their feet on their floor and their hands away from the dashboard. Any other position puts a person at risk for severe injuries. Unfortunately, many people instinctively reach for the dashboard to steady themselves in a collision. This can create serious injuries, even loss of fingers.
- Factory defects. Some airbags are designed or constructed poorly, making them a hazard to drivers and passengers. An airbag that deploys too readily, too late, too fast, or not at all can have drastic consequences for the people involved in a collision.
Corporate Negligence
Sometimes people are badly hurt, even killed, because of a company’s failure to properly design and oversee production of its airbags. If this has happened to you or a loved one, filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you win the compensation you deserve.
To discuss your case,
contact Chicago personal injury attorneys Friedman & Bonebrake at (312) 466-8200.