You depend on a number of safety features when driving. Your seat belt is arguably the most recognizable of these, but the vehicle’s airbags are another vital component. These are meant to prevent you from hitting your head against the steering wheel, dashboard, or other surface in a car accident.
The key phrase there, however, is “meant to.” Sometimes, airbags simply don’t work correctly, and depending on how they improperly deploy (or if they fail to activate at all), they can wind up doing more harm than good.
If you have suffered airbag injuries in Dallas, TX because your vehicle’s airbags were defective, you may be able to file a claim with the help of a Texas product liability lawyer. At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team offers the legal support you deserve. Contact us online or call our law office at (214) 556-8321 to schedule a free consultation.
How Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After Getting Injured by an Airbag In Dallas, TX
Car accidents in which an airbag doesn’t function as it needs to can lead to anything from burn injuries to head trauma. A malfunctioning airbag could even deploy unexpectedly while you’re driving, putting you at risk of causing an accident, ironically enough.
If any of those circumstances come to light, you may be able to hold the manufacturer of the airbag or vehicle liable. At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team of Dallas product liability attorneys offers assistance in filing claims to receive compensation.
We can do so for you by providing services that include the following:
- An investigation into your accident
- Collection of evidence to prove liability
- Establishing that the airbag malfunctioned
- Communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Litigation, if necessary
Our team of Dallas personal injury lawyers is dedicated to offering compassionate representation to those who have suffered because of another party’s negligence. We understand the stress you’re under and will work tirelessly on your behalf. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Best Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum, and Expertise.com.
Contact our law office in Dallas, Texas to schedule a free consultation.
Common Airbag Injuries
When an airbag malfunctions, it can cause a variety of injuries, some of which can even be life-threatening.
For instance, fractures can occur when an airbag deploys with too much force. Compound fractures could leave you dealing with mobility issues and pain for months. But even mild breaks can cause significant pain and take an equally considerable time to heal. That’s especially the case if you break ribs, as it’s very difficult to stabilize bones in that area of the body.
Chemical burns are another concern. Airbags deploy as quickly as they do because they rely on a chemical reaction. If the airbag doesn’t function as it should or is damaged, the sudden burst of chemicals can cause burns, rashes, and other serious injuries.
In a similar sense, the dispersal of debris that may occur due to a defective airbag can result in facial injuries such as shattered cheekbones and even eye loss. Situations like these served as the basis for the Takata airbag recalls; they tended to explode and propel all manner of shrapnel throughout the car.
If the airbag doesn’t deploy at all in a collision, the resulting injuries could be life-threatening. You could suffer a traumatic brain injury that might impact your cognitive function and leave you with long-term health issues. Even mild brain injuries, like concussions, can take weeks to recover from.
Establishing Liability In A Defective Airbag Injury Claim
If you have suffered injuries because of a defective airbag, there may be a few parties you can hold liable. The first is the manufacturer of the airbag or vehicle. When a business creates a product, it must ensure that it is relatively safe for use. If it fails to do so, it can be held strictly liable for the injuries that the product causes.
Unlike other kinds of personal injury cases, pursuing a product liability claim does not require you to demonstrate that the defect occurred because of negligence; you must only show that the defect was present.
You may be able to hold the other driver liable, too, assuming they bear the responsibility for the crash that led to your airbag’s improper deployment. You would file a negligence-based claim against them, seeing as your injuries would not have occurred if it hadn’t been for their misconduct, alongside a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Additionally, if you took your vehicle to a mechanic and they failed to spot defects that another mechanic wouldn’t have missed, they may also be held responsible for your injuries.
Contact Our Dallas Product Liability Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If your vehicle’s airbags malfunctioned when you needed them most, you may be able to file a claim against several parties. Doing so alone, however, is no easy feat. Hiring experienced Dallas product liability lawyers will provide you with the best chance of recovering your losses.
At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, we provide the aggressive representation you need. Contact us today to speak with one of our Dallas product liability attorneys.