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Can an Airbag Injure You? The Potential Dangers in a Car Crash

In the United States alone, airbags prevent thousands of deaths annually. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbags have saved over 50,500 lives since 1987. Combined with a seatbelt, an airbag can provide even more protection in an accident.

Airbags, which deploy in the case of a collision to protect passengers and lessen injuries, can be dangerous if deployed incorrectly. A personal injury attorney Boston can help!

How effective are car airbags at preventing injuries?

In the case of an accident, airbags are deployed to protect the vehicle’s occupants from injury. Airbags are supposed to work in addition to seat belts, not in place of them. 

It is not just the airbag that could hurt you if you are not wearing a seat belt; it is also possible to hit other passengers or hard interior surfaces.

How Airbags Work in a Crash, According to Science

The airbag’s electrical control system delivers a signal to begin inflating the bag in the event of a moderate to severe collision. Then, the airbag’s igniter causes a chemical reaction. The airbag is rapidly inflated using a harmless gas produced by the response, which takes less than a second.

Injuries Caused by Airbags in Automobile Crashes

If a passenger is too close to the airbag or directly touches it when it initially deploys, they risk suffering severe or fatal injuries. Some persons have also been injured by chemical burns caused by released airbags because of the chemical reaction during inflation. 

When passengers are not properly restrained, airbags can cause serious injuries.  In the event of a collision, if you are not wearing a seat belt, you may be fatally injured by the deployment of the vehicle’s front airbag. Additionally, airbags can cause injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and spinal cord injuries.

Avoiding Injuries Caused by Automobile Airbags

To reduce the likelihood of injury from an airbag, passengers should always use safety belts and sit upright in the vehicle.  If an airbag deploys in a collision, the possibility of damage to the occupants not wearing seat belts is reduced. 

If you want to limit your risk of being hurt by your car’s airbag in an accident, the best thing you can do is wear a seatbelt and keep as much distance as possible between your body and the steering wheel.

Should an Airbag victim file a lawsuit?

If you were hurt by an airbag in a car accident in Massachusetts, you may be eligible to claim damages to help pay for medical bills and other expenses. 

You have a right to compensation for your injuries if you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault or if you were determined to be less than 51 percent at fault. 

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