Defective airbags can sometimes be more dangerous than not having one at all. For the most part, airbags help prevent injuries during a car accident. But in some cases, they can be defective. In the event of a defect, the airbag may not deploy correctly or in the right time. So while they are trying to provide safety, a defective one can actually cause harm rather than safe you during a crash.
Defective Airbags and Product Liability: Types of Defective Airbags
In general, there can be three ways in which an airbag is defective. First of all, there may be a problem with the manufacturer design. Second, there could be a problem with the build of the airbag. For instance, it could be missing a component or has a piece that is not working properly. And lastly, it could be that someone did not install the airbag correctly. Any one of these failures can cause some serious problems when it comes to deploying correctly… Some common deployment issues are when the airbag:
Deploys with too much force. While you do want an airbag to come out with force, too much force can be a bad thing. In fact, too much force can cause serious injury to the face, neck. and back.
Deploys too slowly. In contrast, an airbag may deploy too slowly. Which will render it nearly useless in the event of a crash. Since it needs to stop a person from falling forward into a windshield or dashboard, it needs to have enough speed to stop someone’s motion.
Deploys at the wrong time or not at all. Another problem with airbags is when they fail to deploy at the right time. By this, they may deploy in a minor accident which can be dangerous. Or they may not deploy at all which can also be very dangerous.
Your Rights to a Claim
In the event that you experience a defective airbag, you may be within your right to sue the manufacturer for damages. Since injuries you suffer can greatly affect your life, receiving compensation might be a necessity. For this reason it is important to understand your case and rights to benefits in the event that you’re met with defective airbags