Common Airbag Injuries

Airbags are designed to quickly deploy in a car accident, reducing the risk of a fatality. However, due to their force, they can sometimes cause severe injuries instead of only preventing them.

Facial Fractures

When an airbag hits a person’s face, the force is enough to cause broken bones. This can be painful, have a difficult and lengthy recovery, and in some cases, causes disfigurement. Commonly, the nose, jaw, and eyes are affected. Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling or bruises, headache, tingling or numbness, swollen or flattened cheek, decreased eye movement, double or blurry vision, and more.

Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury can occur when the head suffers a blow or hits a hard surface during an accident. For example, when an airbag hits the head, the same thing can happen. Some common symptoms include loss of consciousness, persistent headache, vomiting or nausea, and seizures.

Fetal Trauma or Miscarriage

When a pregnant woman is involved in an accident, there is an added danger for the fetus. The force of the airbag can cause complications and possibly lead to pregnancy loss. Potential pregnancy-related injuries from an airbag include premature birth, high-risk pregnancy, placental abruption, damage to the fetus’s brain, fetal trauma, and miscarriage.

Chest Injuries

When an airbag hits the chest, it can cause bones to fracture, including the sternum and ribs, or soft tissue injuries. Chest injuries take months to heal and cannot be put in a cast like other broken bones.

Other common injuries include:

• Abrasions to the upper body, commonly the neck or arms
• Contusions to the arms, knees, chest, face, or even internal organs
• Asthma attacks
• Burn injuries to the hands, arms, and chest
• Cervical spine injuries, including whiplash
• Internal organ lacerations, including the liver and heart
• Sprains in the hands and wrists
• Heart muscle rupture
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss or ear trauma

How to Prevent Airbag Injuries

There are several steps you can take to lower the risk of an airbag injury:

• Always wear a seatbelt and ensure all passengers are wearing one as well.
• Sit at least 10 inches away from any airbag deployment area or move the seat as far back as possible.
• Drive as little as possible if you are in the later stages of pregnancy.
• Never put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a vehicle.
• Use age and weight-appropriate car seats and booster seats for younger children, and double-check they are securely buckled in.
• Have all children ages 12 and under in the back seat.

If you or a loved one has suffered an airbag injury, seek medical care immediately. Try to preserve any pieces of the airbag and your vehicle if possible. Some injuries are caused by faulty or defective airbags or crash sensors. As a result, the manufacturer may be liable in addition to the at-fault driver. To ensure you hold the appropriate parties accountable, speak to a Mount Juliet Car Accident Lawyer. We offer free consultations; call (615) 622-6060 or send us a message online today.