Airbags are important to your and your passenger’s safety, which is why they have been a vehicle requirement since 1999. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) predicts that frontal airbags alone have saved over 50,000 lives in the last 30 years [1].
However, with new recalls fairly often, there is some concern over defective airbags. Consumers may not even know they have a defective airbag until they’re involved in an accident and left with serious injury.
The skilled attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understand the complexities of cases involving defective airbags that fail to deploy and can help you navigate the legal process to hold manufacturers accountable. We work diligently to ensure injured consumers receive the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has extensive experience winning defective airbag lawsuits for clients across the country. We understand airbag recalls aren’t always enough, and car crashes may leave victims with long-term injuries. Whether an airbag deployment failed or an airbag inflator caused overly aggressive deployment, when it comes to winning defective airbag settlements, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is the legal team you want on your side.
Airbag Dangers and Precautions
The biggest problem with defective airbags is most people won’t know they’re faulty until they’re in an accident. Concerns over airbag safety are reported to the NHTSA, which is also in charge of issuing recalls. Checking the national recall list frequently can help drivers identify potential airbag defects.
Otherwise, signs that may indicate your vehicle has faulty airbags include failing to deploy, an airbag exploding or rupturing, or an airbag that deploys at the wrong time. Additionally, some airbags have overly aggressive deployment, meaning they deploy near the occupant with excessive force, which could seriously injure or kill the victim.
Another problem with faulty airbags is they may contain dangerous materials, which aren’t visible until the airbag explodes. The high-profile Takata airbag defects lawsuit involved ruptured and sprayed shrapnel that could explode following a car crash.
Safety experts report hundreds of people were injured by Takata airbags [2]. They also estimate there are still vehicles on the road today that contain the defective Takata airbag.
Airbags are designed to protect drivers and their passengers, and the manufacturer may be liable when they don’t work properly. You need a law firm with deep experience in winning airbag cases to increase your chances of a successful lawsuit.
Common Injuries From Defective Airbags
Defective airbags can lead to various injuries, with some of the most common including the following:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Fatal injuries
- Chemical burns
- Eye injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal injury
The problem with faulty airbags is that even a minor accident causing injury can lead to life-changing long-term conditions. The risk of airbag injury isn’t often known until a car crash occurs.
The Role of an Airbag Defect Attorney
Defective airbag lawsuits allow injured victims to recover the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. A defective airbag lawyer from our law firm can help you with your case in the following ways.
Gathering Evidence for Airbag Malfunction Lawsuit
Cases involving defective airbags require evidence. Our law firm will thoroughly investigate the manufacturing defect to determine liability and prove fault. If you or your vehicle occupants were injured due to an overly aggressive deployment or other faulty airbags, our law firm will investigate the cause and determine the best legal route.
Evidence supporting a defective airbag case might include a vehicle safety report, photographs or videos of the defective airbags, or a copy of medical records regarding the injuries sustained from the manufacturing defect.
An Airbag Injury Lawyer Negotiates With Insurance
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a law firm with deep experience in winning defective airbag cases. We manage all negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring a fair settlement. After carefully calculating your damages, we’ll compare the value of your case against any offers you might receive.
Representing Your Interest in Court
If the insurance company or liable party fails to provide you with a fair settlement offer, our legal team is prepared to take your case to trial. We will collect the necessary evidence, obtain expert witnesses, and ensure the best chances of receiving the maximum amount of compensation.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represents faulty airbag victims and their families. If a defective product harmed you, you may be owed compensation.
Damages a Defective Airbag Attorney Can Help You Recover
Your defective airbag lawyer will assist you in recovering the following damage types:
- Economic damages: Economic damages are the financial implications of airbag defects. If a vehicle’s airbags don’t inflate properly, the injured victims may be subject to medical bills, lost wages, property damages, or other financial expenses.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages cover the non-financial aspects of malfunctioning airbags. Defective airbag injuries can lead to pain and suffering or mental anguish. Victims who suffer serious injuries may lose their lives, and family members may have to cope with loss of companionship.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are extra expenses meant to punish a negligent airbag manufacturer for wrongdoing. A well-known airbag lawsuit included Takata airbags. Takata hid the defective nature of their faulty airbags, which resulted in punitive damages in many cases.
Liability in Faulty Airbag Lawsuits
A few parties can be liable in cases involving defective airbags, including the following:
- Airbag manufacturer: Airbag manufacturers are most commonly liable when a defective system leads to serious injuries. This is because the manufacturer is expected to design and produce a functioning airbag that doesn’t seriously injure or kill passengers. Additionally, they’re expected to include adequate warnings about airbag risks.
- Vehicle manufacturer: In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer could be liable when airbag deployment causes injury. A vehicle design defect or certain components, like the steering wheel, could make them liable.
- Dealership: It’s also possible for the dealership to be liable, especially if they fail to repair known airbag recalls or properly repair known risks.
Proving Negligence
Winning defective airbag settlements requires clear evidence of the following elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: Cases involving defective airbags require proof that a duty of care existed to the consumer. Airbags should protect vehicle occupants, establishing a duty of care to the driver and passengers.
- Breach: It’s also necessary to prove the liable person or manufacturer breached that duty of care. Negligence is the most common breach, and in faulty airbag cases, it might include designing a defective airbag inflator, failure to provide adequate warning about airbag dangers, or not issuing recalls in a timely manner.
- Causation: Personal injury law also requires us to show evidence that negligence caused the injury. Faulty airbags can fail, but there must be clear evidence documenting its part in the accident.
- Damages: Finally, a defective airbag lawsuit requires damages that can be compensated. Victims involved in an auto accident in which the airbags don’t function properly could be left with expensive medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses.
You Have Limited Time to File an Airbag Injury Lawsuit
Laws typically allow injured victims to file a faulty airbag lawsuit within two years of the accident date, though this can vary by jurisdiction. It’s essential to consult with an airbag defect lawyer as soon as possible, as this timeline can pass quickly.
The same two-year time limit often applies to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, making timely action critical for protecting your rights.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represents defective product victims, including airbags, on a contingency fee basis. Faulty airbags can fail, and when they do, you may be left with expensive damages. Our law firm never charges the victim anything unless we win their case.
Contact a Dedicated Airbag Defects Lawyer Today!
When you need expert auto product defect litigation, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are the right choice. We have helped clients across the country in cases involving auto product defect litiation. Our experience in winning defective airbag lawsuits can help you build a successful case against the liable manufacturer or dealership.
To book a free case evaluation, contact our firm today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our outline form.
Resources: [1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, [2] Consumer Reports,