Florida Airbag Injuries Attorney Near You

Airbags are meant to protect passengers and drivers in the case of a Florida accident.

While many times they do offer life-saving protection, airbags can also be the source of serious injury.

Airbags have the potential to cause life-altering injuries. These devices can also exacerbate injuries or cause accidents due to accidental deployment. While airbags are essential safety devices that have prevented countless fatalities, they can also contribute to various types of injuries.

If you were injured by a negligent driver, please don’t hesitate to contact our Tampa car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Airbag deployment can lead to a range of injuries. The rate of airbag deployment, chemicals in the device, the design of the device, and the use of a seatbelt can all impact the types of airbag injuries sustained.

Here are the most common airbag injuries following an accident:

• Facial Injuries: The impact of an airbag can cause injuries to the face, including bruises, fractures, and lacerations. The sudden deployment of the airbag may cause blunt force trauma, potentially leading to broken noses, fractured cheekbones, or damage to the jaw.
• Burn Injuries: Airbags deploy with heat and chemicals that can cause burns, particularly on the face, neck, hands, and arms. These burns may be superficial or severe, requiring medical treatment or plastic surgery to heal.
• Eye Injuries: The force and speed of airbag deployment can lead to eye injuries, including corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, or even vision loss in severe cases. Wearing glasses or being seated too close to the airbag can increase the risk of eye trauma.
• Hearing Damage: The noise created by an airbag deployment can be extremely loud and may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. The sudden burst of sound, especially in enclosed spaces, can damage the eardrums or inner ear structures.
• Chest and Rib Injuries: Airbags can strike the chest with significant force, leading to bruised or broken ribs, sternum fractures, or damage to internal organs. These injuries can be particularly severe for older adults or individuals with preexisting conditions.
• Neck, Spine and Back Injuries: The jolt from airbag deployment can cause whiplash or other neck and spinal injuries. In some cases, the force of the airbag can lead to herniated discs or other spinal damage, especially if the occupant is seated too close to the steering wheel or dashboard.
• Upper Limb Injuries: Drivers may sustain injuries to their arms, wrists, or hands from an airbag deploying while their hands are on the steering wheel. This can lead to fractures, dislocations, or sprains that require medical intervention.
• Internal Injuries
• Fractures

Airbag Injuries to Face

One purpose of the airbag is to prevent your face from colliding with the windshield. Your face is usually the first part of your body to make contact with the airbag, so it takes on much of the force.

A collision with the airbag can cause fractures to some of the smaller bones in the face. Permanent scarring can result from airbag impact with the face. Airbag burns from the chemicals used in the airbag can also result.

In addition, injuries to the eyes can be caused by the sudden impact.

Chest Pain After a Car Accident from an Airbag and Seat Belt

Chest pain after a car accident is common, especially when an airbag and seat belt are involved. While these safety devices are designed to protect you from severe injuries, the force of impact can still cause trauma to the chest. An airbag deploys rapidly from the steering wheel, making forceful contact with the chest, while a seat belt tightens to restrain the body.

This combination can lead to bruising, soft tissue damage, and even fractures to the sternum or collarbone. If you’re experiencing persistent chest pain after a car accident from an airbag and seat belt, it’s crucial to seek medical attention to rule out serious internal injuries. See what typical compensation you can get from the pain and suffering of a broken sternum.

Neck and Back Injuries Caused by Airbags

The force of the airbag impacting the body can also cause neck injuries such as whiplash, along with back and spinal cord injuries like slipped or bulging discs, and even fractures.

Can Airbags Burn You?

The speed of the airbag leaving the steering wheel can result in abrasions and burns when it makes contact with the body.

These burns can be caused by the airbag itself or the chemicals used inside the airbag. Burns to the face and arms are common.

Internal Injuries Caused by Airbag Deployment

Organ damage or lacerations may also result from the body’s impact with the airbag. Inhaling the chemicals inside the airbag can also lead to lung injuries.

Airbags Causing Fractures

Can airbags break bones? Airbags can break bones and lead to fractures in the face, collarbone, arms, and even legs, especially in high-impact collisions. While airbags are designed to protect you in a crash, the force of deployment can sometimes cause serious injuries.

These injuries can have serious life-altering consequences and may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you’ve suffered fractures or broken bones from an airbag, it’s important to seek medical attention and let the airbag injury lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk help. Contact us today!

If you’ve been injured by an airbag in a car accident, it’s important to take the following steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if the injuries seem minor, it’s essential to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries, like internal damage or whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
2. Document Your Injuries: Keep a detailed record of your injuries, medical treatments, and how the injuries have affected your daily life.
3. Contact an Experienced Airbag Failure Attorney: An airbag failure attorney specializes in cases where airbags fail to deploy, deploy unexpectedly, or malfunction, causing serious injuries. These cases can be complex, especially when a defect or malfunction is involved. An experienced airbag failure attorney can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation for your injuries.

$160,000 Settlement for an Airbag Injury in 2023

Our client, a 26-year-old petition circulator, was traveling south on Martin Luther King Street near the intersection of 2nd Ave. North when the defendant negligently changed lanes and impacted our client. As a result, our client’s vehicle was pushed off the road and collided with a fire hydrant. Because of the collision, our client’s airbags deployed.

As a result of the injuries she sustained, our client was taken to a local hospital emergency room. She had suffered abrasions and burns to her right arm and elbow as a result of the airbag deployment. She also hurt her neck, back and wrist in the crash which, together with the airbag injuries, required extensive medical treatment.

Once our client reached her maximum medical improvement, we prepared and submitted a comprehensive demand package to the defendant’s insurance company. Initially, the company attempted to minimize our client’s injuries. They suggested merely $65,000 as an initial offer to settle the claim. With the help of our client’s doctors’ opinions, we were able to eventually able to convince the insurer that the injuries were serious and likely permanent. They ultimately paid $160,000.00 to settle the claim, a result that was fair and reasonable under the circumstances and one that our client was very pleased with.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have decades of experience handling car accident injury claims, including those involving airbag-related injuries. Our team of airbag failure attorneys will investigate the circumstances of your case, gather evidence, and work tirelessly to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve sustained an airbag injury, contact the Florida airbag injury lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or by calling 800-538-4878 today to schedule your free consultation.

Our experienced Tampa injury attorneys have been helping people injured in car accidents for over 30 years.