Auto accidents can cause serious injuries, and airbags are designed to minimize those risks. But what happens if your car is totaled and the airbags didn’t deploy? Many crash victims are left wondering, “Can you sue for airbags not deploying?”
The answer depends on the circumstances, including whether the airbags were defective, the type of crash, and who may be legally responsible.
Why Didn’t My Airbags Deploy?
There are several reasons airbags may fail to deploy, and not all point to a defect. Common causes of airbag accidents include:
- The crash impact was not strong enough to trigger the airbag sensors
- The collision involved a side or rear impact, where airbags were not designed to deploy
- The vehicle’s airbag sensors were faulty or damaged
- The airbag system had a manufacturing or design defect
- The vehicle was subject to a faulty airbag recall that went unaddressed
Understanding the cause is the first step in determining whether you have a valid lawsuit.
Injuries Caused by Airbags Not Deploying
When airbags fail, the injuries are often far worse than they would have been if the system functioned properly. Victims may suffer:
- Head trauma, including concussions or skull fractures
- Broken bones from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows
- Spinal cord injuries leading to long-term complications
- Facial fractures or severe dental damage
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
These injuries often result in steep medical bills, lost income, and long recovery times. If the airbags should have deployed and did not, you may have grounds to sue.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Responsibility for an airbag not deploying can fall on different parties depending on the situation:
- The vehicle manufacturer, if the design or installation was defective
- The airbag manufacturer, if a defect existed in the product itself
- A dealership or repair shop, if they failed to fix a known problem or caused damage during maintenance
- The driver at fault for the crash, if their negligence caused the accident
In many cases, multiple parties may share liability, making these lawsuits complex.
Lawsuits for Airbags Not Deploying
You may be able to sue if your airbags didn’t deploy when they should have. Airbag not-deploying lawsuits often fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers accountable for defective products.
To succeed, you typically need to prove:
- The airbags should have deployed under the circumstances
- They failed due to a defect or negligence
- You suffered injuries as a direct result of the failure
Evidence such as crash reports, expert inspections, recall notices, and medical records can all strengthen your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If successful, an airbag non-deployment lawsuit settlement may include compensation for economic damages like :
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages tied to physical and emotional harm
- Property damage, such as repairs or replacement of your vehicle
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence, such as ignoring known defects
The amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries and the strength of your evidence.
Steps To Take After an Airbag Failure
If your airbags didn’t deploy in an accident, take these steps to protect your rights:
- Get medical care immediately and document your injuries
- Preserve the vehicle so experts can inspect the airbag system
- Check for any faulty airbag recall notices connected to your car
- Obtain the police accident report and witness statements
- Contact an attorney experienced in airbag-not-deploying lawsuits
These actions can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation
So, can you sue for airbags not deploying? In many cases, yes, if a defect or failure contributed to your injuries. Holding manufacturers, dealerships, or other responsible parties accountable may help you recover the compensation you need for medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery.
To learn more and schedule a free consultation to discuss your options, contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers today.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra personal injury law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and their surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St, Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167
