The introduction of airbags in passenger vehicles was seen as a new era in passenger safety. Cars with them were considered far safer then those without. This additional safety precaution was designed to ensure the safety of the driver, in conjunction with a seatbelt. On impact it is designed to deploy, the bag filling with air, cushioning the driver as they are thrown forward. However, there have been many problems associated with the airbag due to defects in manufacturing.

What are the problems associated with airbags?

• Deploying when they should not
• Deploying with too much force
• Deploying too slowly
• Deploying in low speed accidents
• Failing to deploy at all

Children and people with smaller statures and frames are particularly vulnerable to airbag related injury. Manufacturers contend that it is the consumer that tends to be at fault as they either sit too close to the steering wheel or do not wear a seatbelt. However, the following list of recalls that have occurred over the last few years speaks volumes:

• 2000 GM recalled 224,000 Cadillac Devilles to replace faulty side impact sensors, which would cause the airbags to needlessly deploy.

• 2001 Chrysler recalled 216,000 pickup trucks because of problems with drivers airbags

• 2003 Ford recalled 43,000 Lincoln Continentals because they may have deployed accidentally

• 2005 Hyundai recalled 240,000 Elantras due to airbag issues

• 2005 Kia recalled 73,000 Spectras for similar problems

• 2005 Honda recalled 85,000 minivans due to water leaking into the internal sensors, causing corrosion, which would have led to late deployment or complete failure

These are not the only vehicles with airbag problems, but are ones that have actually gone through a manufacture recall.

Injuries sustained by defective airbags

Surprisingly, one the most common type of injury is that to the eyes, even in relatively minor accidents blindness has occurred due to a defective airbag. Other injuries to the eye include bruising to the socket and the eyeball rupturing.

Other injuries include but are not limited to:

Chest injuries (often ending in fatality)

• Burns
• Bruising
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Death

Your next step

Defective airbag claims are expensive and complex to litigate. They are difficult to win as juries find it hard to see that this safety feature can in actuality be deadly.

The attorneys at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg and Jeck P.C have substantial experience and knowledge in this area of law.

If you are entitled to compensation, we will fight to get it for you. Call (866) 569.3400, toll free, for a free consultation.