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Airbags save thousands of lives in Florida and across the United States each year. When you are involved in a serious collision, having your airbags deploy can reduce the risk of suffering a life-altering or life-threatening traumatic brain injury (TBI)..

However, airbags cannot prevent all injuries, and airbag deployment can even cause injuries in some cases. This is because they are designed to do one job—protect your head in the event of a crash. Of course, when airbags fail to deploy, this can lead to severe and life-threatening injuries as well. As a result, regardless of whether your airbags deploy, it is important to speak with a Fort Myers accident attorney about your legal rights.

Types of Collisions that Can Cause Airbag Deployment

As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains, “[f]rontal airbags have been standard equipment in all passenger cars since model year 1998 and in all SUVs, pickups and vans since model year 1999.” While side-impact airbags are still optional, many newer-model cars, trucks, and SUVs come with this additional protection as standard.

NHTSA also explains, “[b]oth frontal and side-impact airbags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes.” A crash is considered “moderate” if the forces involved are equivalent to hitting a fixed barrier at 8 to 14 mph (or hitting a parked car at about 16 to 24 mph). However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that “[m]ost airbags will deploy at a higher threshold — about 16 mph — for belted occupants because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.”

Despite the labeling of front and side-impact airbags, all airbags can (and often will) deploy in the event of a crash. During a collision, sensors in a vehicle equipped with airbags will trigger each one based on the forces exerted on the vehicle. If a frontal impact results in horizontal movement, the side-impact airbags can deploy. Likewise, if a side-impact collision (i.e., a T-bone accident) causes swift deceleration, in addition to the vehicle’s side-impact airbags deploying, the front airbags in the steering wheel and passenger seat can deploy as well.

With all of this in mind, the types of collisions that can cause a vehicle’s airbags to deploy include:

• Head-On Collisions – Airbags will almost always deploy (or should almost always deploy) during head-on collisions. Even at relatively low speeds, the forces involved in such crashes will be more than enough to trigger airbag deployment.
• Side-Impact Collisions – Side-impact collisions will frequently result in airbag deployment as well. While sideswipe accidents won’t necessarily trigger a vehicle’s airbags, T-bones and other forceful side-impact collisions typically will.
• Rear-End Collisions – Rear-end collisions will also frequently result in airbag deployment. If you get rear-ended, your seatbelt’s restraint may or may not be sufficient to protect you from hitting your head. If your vehicle’s sensors detect that a head impact is likely, then your vehicle’s airbags should deploy.
• Intersection Accidents – Along with head-on, side-impact, and rear-end collisions, other accidents at intersections will frequently result in airbag deployment. For example, if a car approaching from your right or left turns into the front corner of your vehicle, this could result in both front and side-impact airbag deployment.
• Collisions with Fixed and Stationary Objects – Collisions with fixed and stationary objects can also cause a vehicle’s airbags to deploy. As noted above, hitting a fixed object at just 8 mph can be enough to trigger airbag deployment in some vehicles.

Having your airbags deployed can be a scary and disorienting experience. It can also add significantly to the cost of getting your car, truck, or SUV repaired after a crash. But, if your airbags serve their purpose, these additional costs will be well worth it, and they should be covered under your (or the at-fault party’s) insurance policy.

What to Do After a Crash in Which Your Airbags Deploy

While the costs of an airbag deployment (along with the various other costs of the collision) may be covered by insurance, obtaining the coverage to which you are entitled may be tricky. You should be careful to protect your legal rights and know that there are steps you need to take and mistakes you need to avoid.

With this in mind, here is an overview of some of the key steps to take after a crash in which your airbags deploy:

• Seek Medical Attention – If you have not done so already, you are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You need to make sure you receive a comprehensive diagnosis, and you should begin any necessary treatment immediately.
• Take Detailed Notes – You should write down everything you can remember about the crash in which your airbags deployed. How fast were you traveling? How fast did the other vehicle seem to be traveling? Were there any other vehicles (and potential witnesses) in the vicinity? Did the other driver say anything after the crash?
• Save Your Photos and Videos – If you were able to take photos or videos after the accident, be sure to save every photo and video you took. These could provide key insights into the cause of the accident and your injuries (including any injuries caused by your airbags’ deployment). However, while you should be sure to save your photos and videos, you should not share them with the insurance companies or post them on social media.
• Talk to a Fort Myers Accident Attorney – Due to the challenges involved when seeking financial compensation for an accident in which your airbags deployed, it is important to hire an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Request a Free Consultation with Fort Myers Accident Attorney Randall L. Spivey

If you were injured in an accident in which your airbags deployed, Fort Myers accident attorney Randall L. Spivey can fight to recover the financial compensation you deserve. To arrange a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible, please call the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 888-477-4839 or tell us about your accident online now at Spiveylaw.com.