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Can an Airbag Deploy Accidentally? What TN Drivers Should Know
When airbags deploy accidentally, you may have a claim against a liable party. But a lot depends on what your lawyer’s investigation uncovers and how effective they are at determining liability. Find out how Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you by calling us today.
Can an airbag really deploy by accident?
While it is uncommon, airbags can deploy accidentally. Airbags are designed in a way that is supposed to limit deployment to crash conditions, but they can also deploy because of sensor problems, electrical issues, or counterfeit parts. Drivers report airbags going off when they hit a curb, debris on the road, or medians. In some cases, drivers do not notice any obvious impact before their airbags go off.
This is not necessarily due to a defective vehicle. Airbag systems are complex, designed to respond to force, certain speed changes, and sensor data. A hard jolt in the wrong area may be enough to trigger deployment.
The important question here is whether the airbags responded appropriately. If the airbags deployed without any real impact or if the deployment caused a crash or injuries, it may warrant a thorough inspection.
How airbags are supposed to work
Airbags are an important part of a car’s supplemental restraint system, which means they work alongside seatbelts, not instead of them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, frontal airbags saved more than 50,000 lives over a 30-year period.
A complex sensor system detects the force and direction of impact when a crash occurs and deploys airbags when necessary. Airbags deploy with significant force, so they can cause bruising, abrasions, or soreness even when they work correctly. However, even with that, they can prevent more serious injuries.
Why might an airbag deploy unexpectedly?
There are numerous reasons your vehicle’s airbags may deploy accidentally when they should not. Defective crash sensors can send the wrong signal to the control module, or a faulty control module may read the signals incorrectly. Electrical shorts, wiring problems, and corrosion can also interfere with how systems interact.
You may also want to look into your vehicle’s repair history. If your vehicle has been in a crash that caused airbag deployment before, repairs that were done incorrectly or with unapproved parts may affect airbag function.
Similarly, manufacturing defects and recalls may also affect how airbags work. Some airbag issues have been found to affect entire production years.
Can a pothole or minor impact trigger an airbag?
Unfortunately, hitting a pothole or minor roadway hazard can cause an airbag to deploy. This is especially likely if the impact is sharp, even if it does not seem severe enough to warrant deployment.
It is important to note that airbag deployment due to a pothole or minor impact is not always inappropriate. Investigators who look into the surprise deployment may look into the vehicle’s speed, the size of the pothole or obstacle, where the impact occurred, and the vehicle’s damage pattern. A thorough investigation can help you and your car accident lawyer find out if you have any legal options when airbag deployment causes you to become injured.
Injuries caused by airbag deployment
Airbags deploy with a lot of force. They have to in order to counteract the force of a serious collision. Because of how quickly they deploy, drivers usually do not have time to brace or slow down.
Injuries that may be caused by airbag deployment include facial injuries, eye injuries, burns, abrasions, arm injuries, chest bruising, rib injuries, and hearing damage. Some people may also experience mental or psychological trauma, particularly if the deployment causes an actual accident.
Who may be liable for accidental airbag deployment?
Liability depends on what actually caused the airbag to deploy. In some cases where deployment seems accidental, there may actually be no liability. While deployment may seem over the top in some cases, if it was in response to a real impact, it may be considered appropriate.
But if deployment truly is accidental, your car accident lawyer will look into the evidence to figure out who is liable. If the problem was caused by a previous repair, the mechanic or installer may be responsible for your injuries. If another driver caused the minor crash that led to the deployment, they may still be liable for resulting injuries—even if the injuries were from the airbags, not the crash itself.
If the issue was caused by a manufacturing error, the manufacturer may be held responsible.
Tennessee product liability issues
Airbag claims often fall under Tennessee’s product liability laws. These laws protect consumers when a product is defective, unreasonably dangerous, improperly designed, improperly manufactured, or sold without appropriate warnings.
One issue that often comes up in these cases is the condition of the vehicle itself and its airbag systems. If you scrap, sell, or repair the vehicle as soon as the airbag deploys, you may lose valuable evidence that could help you seek compensation. It is important to reach out to a personal injury lawyer before seeking repairs or otherwise changing the car in a way that may impact evidence.
Note that if you do have a product liability claim, you should move quickly. Tennessee has a very short statute of limitations in these cases, typically giving plaintiffs just one year from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Tennessee also has a statute of repose that may prevent you from filing a claim if you are injured by an older product. These deadlines are strict, so talking to an attorney early is important.
Injured by faulty airbags? Find out how Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you
If you have suffered painful injuries because of accidental airbag deployment, it is time to find out if you have a claim against another driver, the manufacturer, a repair shop, or another third party. Give us a call or get in touch online now.