Airbags are designed to save lives. They are among the most critical safety features in modern vehicles, designed to deploy within milliseconds during a crash to protect drivers and passengers from severe injury or death. But what happens when an airbag fails? An airbag failure can turn a survivable accident into a catastrophic event, leaving victims with life-altering injuries or worse.
When airbags malfunction, victims may have legal options beyond a standard car accident claim. In many cases, product liability claims can hold manufacturers, suppliers, or automakers accountable for dangerous defects. This article explores airbag failure injuries, how product liability law applies, and what victims should do to protect their rights.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Airbag Failure?
- Common Types of Airbag Defects
- Injuries Caused by Airbag Failure
- Why Airbag Failure Is a Product Liability Issue
- Who Can Be Held Liable in an Airbag Failure Case?
- How Product Liability Claims Work
- Evidence Needed to Prove an Airbag Failure Claim
- Challenges in Airbag Failure Lawsuits
- Airbag Recalls and What They Mean for Your Case
- Why Legal Representation Matters
- How Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm Can Help
- Strong Call to Action
1. What Is an Airbag Failure?
Airbag failure means the airbag system does not operate as designed during a crash. Airbags are built to deploy within milliseconds of a significant impact. They work with seat belts to reduce the risk of serious injury or death. When the system fails, the risk of severe injury to drivers and passengers increases dramatically.
Airbag failure can take several forms, each posing serious safety risks:
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- Failure to deploy during a crash:
One of the most dangerous types of airbag failure occurs when the airbag fails to deploy at all during a moderate to severe collision, even though deployment was expected. In these cases, occupants may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or other interior components of the vehicle, leading to traumatic brain injuries, facial fractures, chest injuries, or fatal outcomes. - Delayed deployment:
Airbags are designed to deploy at a precise moment during a crash. If deployment is delayed by even a fraction of a second, the airbag may inflate after the occupant has already moved forward, reducing or eliminating its protective effect. Delayed deployment can cause the airbag to strike the occupant improperly, potentially worsening neck, head, or spinal injuries. - Unexpected deployment:
Sometimes airbags deploy when there is no crash. They may also deploy during a low-impact event where it is not needed. Unexpected airbag deployment can cause drivers to lose control and crash. It can also result in burns, fractures, or eye injuries, even if there was no collision. - Deployment with excessive force:
Airbags must inflate rapidly to protect occupants, but excessive force can cause injury. Overly aggressive deployment may lead to broken bones, internal injuries, or hearing damage. Smaller adults, children, and elderly passengers face a higher risk of blunt-force trauma. - Airbags that release shrapnel or toxic chemicals:
Some severe airbag failures involve defective inflators that explode on deployment. These explosions send metal fragments, or shrapnel, into the passenger compartment at high speed. Such fragments can cause penetrating injuries, severe bleeding, or death. Certain airbag malfunctions may also release harmful gases or chemicals that cause burns or respiratory injuries.
- Failure to deploy during a crash:
Airbags are not simple devices. They rely on a highly sophisticated system that includes crash sensors, electronic control units (ECUs), wiring, software algorithms, and chemical inflators. These components must work together flawlessly under extreme conditions. A defect in any single part of the system, whether due to poor design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate testing, can result in catastrophic airbag failure.
When an airbag functions properly, it can mean the difference between minor injuries and a fatal outcome. However, when the system malfunctions, the airbag may become a source of danger rather than protection. Instead of absorbing impact forces and reducing injury, a defective airbag can cause new injuries, intensify existing ones, or fail entirely when needed most. This is why airbag failure is not just a safety issue; it is often a serious product liability concern with significant legal implications.
2. Common Types of Airbag Defects
A design defect exists when the airbag system is inherently dangerous from the beginning. Even if made correctly, its design alone creates an unreasonable risk of injury.
Examples include:
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- Airbags that deploy too aggressively
- Poor placement that causes facial or chest injuries
- Defective inflator designs (as seen in major airbag recalls)
Manufacturing defects occur when an airbag deviates from its intended design due to production errors.
Examples:
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- Faulty wiring
- Improperly assembled inflators
- Contaminated chemical propellants
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- The manufacturer knew about airbag defects but did not issue warnings.
- Instructions were inadequate or misleading.
- Recalls were delayed or poorly communicated.
3. Injuries Caused by Airbag Failure
Common Airbag Failure Injuries
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- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Chest and rib fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Burns and chemical injuries
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Fatal injuries in high-impact crashes
4. Why Airbag Failure Is a Product Liability Issue
Most car accident claims differ from airbag failure cases. Airbag failure often falls under product liability law, not negligence.
Product liability focuses on:
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- Defective products
- Dangerous designs
- Manufacturer responsibility
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- The airbag was defective.
- The defect existed when it left the manufacturer.
- The defect caused your injuries.
5. Who Can Be Held Liable in an Airbag Failure Case?
More than one party is usually responsible for an airbag failure case. Many companies collaborate in the design, manufacturing, testing, software development, and distribution of airbag systems. If an airbag malfunctions and causes injury, liability may extend to several supply chain entities, depending on what went wrong.
Understanding who can be held legally accountable is a crucial step in building a strong product liability claim and maximizing financial recovery for injured victims.
Airbag Manufacturers
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- Defective inflator designs that rupture during deployment
- Use of unstable or poorly tested chemical propellants
- Inadequate quality control during production
- Failure to conduct sufficient safety testing
Automakers (Vehicle Manufacturers)
Automakers integrate airbag systems into vehicles and are responsible for ensuring that the final product is safe for consumers. Even when airbags are supplied by third-party manufacturers, automakers may still be liable for injuries caused by airbag failure.
Automaker liability may arise when:
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- The vehicle’s design interferes with proper airbag deployment.
- Sensors are improperly positioned or calibrated.
- The automaker knew of airbag defects and failed to act.
- Defective airbags were installed despite known safety concerns.
Parts Suppliers
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- Sensors
- Wiring harnesses
- Electronic control units (ECUs)
- Inflator components
Software Developers and Technology Providers
Modern airbags rely heavily on software to interpret crash data and determine when and how airbags should deploy. Software errors, faulty algorithms, or programming flaws can lead to delayed, failed, or unnecessary deployment.
Software developers may be held liable if:
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- The airbag control software contains coding errors.
- Algorithms fail to account for real-world crash conditions.
- Updates or patches were not properly implemented or tested.
Distributors and Retailers
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- Sold vehicles with known defective airbags
- Failed to complete required recall repairs before sale
- Misrepresented the safety condition of the vehicle
Shared and Comparative Liability
Identifying all liable parties is essential because:
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- It increases the potential sources of compensation.
- It prevents companies from shifting blame onto one another.
- It strengthens the overall product liability claim.
6. How Product Liability Claims Work
Strict Liability
Negligence
Breach of Warranty
7. Evidence Needed to Prove an Airbag Failure Claim
Key Evidence Includes:
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- The vehicle and airbag module (preserved evidence)
- Crash data recorder (“black box”) information
- Medical records documenting injuries
- Expert testimony from engineers and accident reconstructionists
- Recall notices or internal manufacturer documents.
- Photographs and crash reports
8. Challenges in Airbag Failure Lawsuits
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- Proving the airbag defect caused the injury
- Accessing proprietary manufacturer data
- Defendants blame the crash, not the airbag.
- Federal safety regulation defenses
9. Airbag Recalls and What They Mean for Your Case
Important Points About Recalls
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- A recall may serve as evidence of a known defect.
- Injuries may occur before a recall is issued.
- Some defective airbags are never recalled.
- Failure to repair a recalled airbag does not automatically eliminate liability.
10. Why Legal Representation Matters
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- Technical engineering issues
- Federal safety regulations
- Corporate defense strategies
- Expert witnesses
11. How Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm Can Help
At Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, we fight for victims harmed by dangerous products and corporate negligence. We understand the devastating impact an airbag failure can have on your life, your health, and your family’s future.
Our firm:
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- Investigate airbag defects thoroughly.
- Works with top engineering and medical experts
- Takes on large manufacturers and insurers
- Pursues maximum compensation for our clients
- Handles cases on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we win.
12. Strong Call to Action
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to airbag failure, you do not have to face powerful manufacturers alone. Time is critical, evidence can disappear, and your legal rights may expire sooner than you think.
Let our experienced legal team evaluate your case, explain your options, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
📞 Contact Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm right now for a FREE consultation.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm Standing Up for Victims. Holding Corporations Accountable.
Houston, TX z7057
Phone: (713) 974-0388
Fax: (713) 974-0003
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is considered an airbag failure?
An airbag failure includes any situation in which the airbag fails to deploy correctly, deploys unexpectedly, deploys too forcefully, or causes injury due to a defect.
2. Can I sue if my airbag didn’t deploy in a crash?
Yes. If an airbag should have deployed under the circumstances and failed to do so, you may have grounds for a product liability claim.
3. Who is responsible for airbag failure injuries?
Responsibility may fall on the airbag manufacturer, automaker, or parts supplier, depending on the nature of the defect.
4. What compensation is available in airbag failure claims?
Victims may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, long-term disability, and wrongful death damages.
5. How long do I have to file an airbag failure lawsuit?
Statutes of limitation vary by state. It is critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.