Airbags were created to help prevent serious injuries from occurring in car accidents. Since their invention, they have saved millions of lives globally. Unfortunately, collisions have also been known to cause countless airbag injuries in Las Vegas, NV and in some severe cases due to design defect and passenger error, they have caused death.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective airbag in your automobile, you may have a valid personal injury claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer. Contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyer for a complimentary consultation by calling (702) 800-0988 or filling out our contact form online to discover your options for recovering.

If you’re here to learn more about common airbag injuries and how an attorney can help you, this article is for you.

airbag injuries in las vegas nv

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  1. Common Injuries from Airbag Deployment
  2. How Bad is an Accident if Airbags Deploy?
  3. Should You Go to the ER if Airbags Deploy?
  4. Is Your Car Considered Totaled if Airbags Deploy?
  5. Is Your Car Accident More Valuable if the Airbags Deploy?
  6. Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Case Review

1. Common Airbag Injuries

Airbag injuries tend to affect the upper-half of a persons body due to the location of the bags. Some of the most common injury types we have seen include:

  • Facial injuries: Sudden airbag deployment can result in substantial injury to the face. Common injury types include burns, lacerations, and even facial fractures. In some rare but extreme cases, blindness can occur.
  • Chest injuries: Chest injuries are the second-most prominent injury type following airbag deployment. Sitting too close to the steering wheel during deployment can result in burns and fractured ribs. Pay attention to your breathing patterns following airbag deployment. If you are experiencing sharp pains, coughing, or shallow breathing, seek medical treatment immediately.
  • Whiplash: The sudden deployment of an airbag can cause a sudden back-and-forth movement if directly impacts your head which will likely result in whiplash. Whiplash is a common injury type in car accidents and symptoms can range from a headache, neck pain, stiffness, and a reduced range-of-motion.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Airbags were designed to protect the heads of vehicle occupants during an accident. However, sometimes the force of the airbag can have such an impact on a persons head that it causes a brain injury. Symptoms of a brain injury can include dizziness, slurred speech, light sensitivity, forgetfulness, aggression and more. If you have hit your head to any degree, even if you believe it is just a concussion, you should seek medical treatment immediately.

How Serious is an Accident if Airbags Deploy in Las Vegas, NV?

Airbag deployment plays a critical role in protecting drivers and passengers during moderate to severe accidents. Typically, airbags are designed to deploy when the impact force reaches a certain threshold, usually during collisions at speeds between 8 and 14 miles per hour or higher. This speed range is often associated with significant impacts, such as striking another vehicle or a stationary object.

The vehicle’s sensors detect the rapid deceleration and trigger the airbags within milliseconds, providing crucial protection to prevent serious injuries. However, in low-speed or minor accidents, airbags may not deploy, as the vehicle’s safety system often relies on seat belts alone to provide adequate protection. Understanding how and when airbags deploy is essential for personal injury cases, as it can affect liability, the severity of injuries, and the overall outcome of a claim.

Should I Go to the ER for Airbag Injuries in Las Vegas?

If your airbags deploy in an accident, it’s a strong indication that the impact was severe enough to potentially cause injury, even if you don’t feel immediate pain. It’s crucial to seek medical attention, and going to the ER is a wise choice to ensure that any injuries, both visible and hidden, are properly assessed.

Airbag deployment can result in injuries like bruising, fractures, or internal trauma, and the shock of the accident can mask symptoms early on. In personal injury cases, having thorough medical documentation from an ER visit can also support your personal injury claim, creating a timeline of any injuries related to the accident.

Is a Car Considered Totaled if Airbags Deploy?

An airbag deploying alone will not automatically total a car. Typically, a vehicle is only considered a total-loss if the cost of repairs exceeds 70% of the vehicles value. The cost to replace an airbag can range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on how severe the accident was. The cost of the airbag replacement will be factored in with the rest of the property damage when the insurance adjuster is evaluating your claim.

Is a Personal Injury Claim More Valuable with Airbag Injuries?

Although there is no magic ball that will tell you what your personal injury case is worth, if your accident resulted in airbag deployment, you could be entitled to more compensation in damages. This is because airbags typically deploy in moderate to extreme collisions.

The insurance company will evaluate whether or not the airbags deployed in a collision. If so, they may be apt to offer you a higher settlement offer to compensate you for the costs associated with the recovery of a serious wreck.

That’s not to say, however, that your claim isn’t valuable if the airbags do not deploy. We’ve also seen some instances where a driver was hit at high-impact and their airbags did not deploy due to an automobile defect.

Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation in Las Vegas, NV

If you or a loved one have become injured in an accident in Las Vegas, NV, we invite you to contact Brian Boyer Injury Lawyer for a free and confidential case review.

With over a decade of experience and millions recovered for our clients, we understand what it takes to fight–and win–a personal injury claim.

We are available to take your call 24/7 and there is no obligation to speaking with our attorney, so there really isn’t any reason why you shouldn’t call us today.

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