Airbags are safety features that are intended to protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. However, airbags quickly become dangerous when they are defective or do not operate properly.
Were you hurt in a car accident and suffered an airbag injury? Our Jacksonville airbag injuries lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers have helped countless injured clients get the financial resources they need to aid their recovery. Insurance companies do everything they can to deny your claim. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to help you fight back.
Reach out to our Jacksonville, Florida law firm at (904) 396-1100 to schedule a free consultation. Let us show you how we can make a difference in the outcome of your case.
How Can Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help You After a Jacksonville Airbag Injury?
Our Jacksonville car accident attorneys at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers have rightfully earned their reputation as a go-to firm for injury victims in Jacksonville, FL.
We know the law inside and out, and with over 100 years of combined legal experience, nothing gets by us. We know all the insurance companies’ tricks to get you to settle for less than you deserve. Don’t take that risk by hiring a less competent firm.
Here are just a few of the many ways we’ve been recognized for our skill and accomplishments:
- Martindale-Hubbell 2021 Platinum Client Champion Award (highest award for client services)
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Super Lawyers every year since 2009
- Florida Trend’s Legal Elite
- Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Florida by National Trial Lawyers
- Tens of millions in financial recovery for our clients
One of our lawyers is also Board Certified in construction law by the Florida Bar. Contact our Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn more about what we can do for you if an airbag has injured you.
What Is the Purpose of Airbags?
Airbags are one of the most significant contributors to vehicle safety ever developed. Properly functioning airbags deploy during a collision to protect occupants from objects inside and outside the vehicle. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that airbags have saved over 50,000 lives.
To work effectively, vehicle sensors detect the severity of a crash and deploy almost instantly upon impact. Airbags are filled with nitrogen gas and deploy at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. While this is all intended to keep you safe, it, unfortunately, has the potential to result in serious injury in the event of premature, late, or unnecessary deployment. Even when airbags are functioning properly, there’s still a risk of injury due to the high speed of deployment.
Defective Airbags
Defective airbags may result from a supplier error, a glitch during the manufacturing process, or the use of a counterfeit part replacement.
Examples of common airbag defects include:
• Airbag sensor does not release during a collision
• Sensor deploys the airbag in the absence of a collision
• Deploys too late
• Inflator explosion
There are also instances in which the driver’s inability to disable airbag activation can result in serious injuries. For example, an individual who has a medical condition that would be worsened by airbag deployment is unable to turn off the airbag.
Airbag Injuries
Airbags can result in serious injuries due to the high speed at which they deploy. When an airbag deploys late, the driver and passengers are at an increased risk of serious injury.
Common airbag injuries include:
• Broken bones in the face, hands, fingers, and wrists
• Head/neck trauma
• Damage to internal organs
• Internal bleeding
• Burns
• Lacerations
Smaller individuals and the elderly are most likely to suffer serious injuries as a result of airbag deployment.
Who Is Liable for Airbag Injuries?
There are several parties who may be responsible for injuries resulting from airbag injuries.
Manufacturing/Supplier Defects
The automobile manufacturer is most likely to be liable in the event an airbag doesn’t function properly. It’s the automobile manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that all vehicle components are safe and fully operational before the vehicle is transported to the dealership. This is true regardless of whether the airbag defect resulted from a supplier defect, design flaw, or mistake during production.
Dealers/Sales
After a vehicle is involved in an accident and the airbag deploys, it must be replaced with a new one. An honest vendor will replace an airbag with a new part from the manufacturer. However, some less reputable individuals may attempt to reuse an airbag or buy a cheap counterfeit replacement.
Counterfeit airbags may deploy unexpectedly or not deploy at all when an accident occurs. These replacements have also been reported to send shards of metal flying upon deployment. A Florida car dealer who outfits a vehicle with a counterfeit airbag may be legally responsible for any resulting injuries.
Another Driver
Even properly functioning airbags can cause injuries. If you were injured in an accident by an airbag that deployed correctly, the other driver might be held liable, depending on the circumstances. Florida is a no-fault state, which means each driver’s insurance company is responsible for covering injuries regardless of who was at fault.
However, suppose your injuries are particularly severe, or costs exceed your own insurance coverage. In that case, you can go after the other driver’s insurance for damages — including for injuries caused by an airbag that deployed as intended.
Contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers After a Jacksonville Airbag Injury
Choose an experienced team of experienced Jacksonville airbag injuries lawyers to fight for you. The legal team at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers understands the physical, emotional, and financial damages you’ve suffered, and we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. The sooner you reach out, the sooner a team of qualified legal professionals can begin fighting for you.
Common Jacksonville Auto Accidents
At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers we handle all types of car accident claims in Jacksonville, including:
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- DUI Crashes
- Head-on Crashes
- Highway Accidents
- Hit and run Crashes
- Intersection Crashes
- Lane Change Crashes
- Left-Turn Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Accidents
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Red and Yellow Light Collisions
- Rollover Accidents
- Seat Belt Injuries
- Single-Vehicle Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- U-Turn Accidents
- And more.
Additional Jacksonville Car Accident Resources
- Car Accident Statistics
- Common Car Accident Scenarios — Causes & Determining Fault
- Florida Car Inspection Laws
- Florida Child Car Seat Laws
- Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Jacksonville, FL
Visit Our Car Accident Law Office In Jacksonville, FL
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105, Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Open 24 hours
