Airbags are engineered to protect drivers and passengers during car accidents, but they can become hazardous if they fail to function correctly.
If you’ve suffered injuries from a malfunctioning airbag in Augusta, GA, you could qualify for compensation. At Hawk Law Group, we have successfully aided many accident victims in pursuing legal claims. Our Augusta airbag injury lawyers are committed to working tirelessly to help you obtain the financial recovery you need.
Reach out to our Augusta law office for a free consultation. We’ll demonstrate how we can assist you. Our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Call us at 706-722-3500.
How Can Our Augusta Car Accident Lawyers Help You With an Airbag Injury Claim?
At Hawk Law Group in Augusta, Georgia, our personal injury attorneys have earned a strong reputation as a reliable option for those injured in accidents. We have extensive legal experience and a thorough knowledge of personal injury law, allowing us to effectively counter insurance companies’ attempts to settle claims for less than what victims should receive.
When you entrust us with your airbag injury case, our Augusta car accident lawyers will take care of the following:
- Conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident
- Examining pertinent evidence, including police reports and medical records
- Identifying and questioning witnesses
- Working with leading Augusta experts who might testify in your favor
- Calculating your damages, crafting a legal strategy, and managing all necessary documentation
- Negotiating aggressively to enhance your settlement
- Representing you in court, if needed
Reach out to our Augusta car accident attorneys at Hawk Law Group today to learn how we can support you if you’ve been injured by an airbag.
What Is the Purpose of Airbags?
Airbags are a significant safety innovation in vehicles. They deploy during accidents to protect passengers from internal and external hazards, playing a crucial role in saving lives. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that airbags have saved over 50,000 lives.
Vehicle sensors measure the severity of a crash and trigger the airbags to deploy rapidly upon impact. These airbags, filled with nitrogen gas, inflate at speeds up to 200 miles per hour.
Although this mechanism is designed for safety, it can sometimes cause serious injuries if the airbags deploy too early, too late, or unnecessarily. Even when functioning properly, the intense speed of deployment may pose a risk of injury.
What Causes Airbags To Be Defective?
Faulty airbags can arise from several sources, including supplier errors, manufacturing defects, or the use of counterfeit replacement parts.
Common airbag defects involve:
- A sensor failing to activate during a crash
- A sensor causing the airbag to deploy without a collision
- Delayed deployment
- Inflator exploding
In some instances, a driver’s inability to deactivate an airbag can result in serious injuries. For example, a person with a medical condition that is worsened by airbag deployment might be unable to disable the airbag.
Common Airbag Injuries Suffered By Accident Victims
Airbags deploy at high speeds and can cause significant injuries. Additionally, delayed deployment can increase the risk of severe harm to drivers and passengers.
Common injuries from airbags include:
- Fractures in facial, hand, finger, and wrist bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
Children and older adults are especially susceptible to serious injuries resulting from airbag deployment.
Who Could Be Liable for Airbag Injuries in Augusta, Georgia?
Various parties may be held responsible for injuries resulting from airbag malfunctions. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Augusta can assist in identifying who is liable.
Manufacturers/Suppliers
Typically, the car manufacturer is held responsible if an airbag fails to function properly. They must ensure that all parts of the vehicle, including airbags, are safe and operational before the car is sold. This responsibility holds whether the issue with the airbag arises from a supplier’s mistake, a design defect, or a manufacturing error.
Dealers/Sellers
After a car accident, any deployed airbags must be replaced. Trustworthy sellers will install new airbags directly from the manufacturer. However, some unscrupulous sellers might install a reused or counterfeit airbag. These fake airbags may not deploy correctly during an accident or could deploy unexpectedly, sometimes expelling metal fragments. If injuries occur because a Georgia car dealer installed a counterfeit airbag, they can be held legally responsible.
Another Driver
In some cases, even properly functioning airbags can cause injuries. If you are injured by an airbag that deployed correctly during an accident, the other driver involved may be liable, depending on the specific circumstances of the crash.
Contact Our Augusta Airbag Injury Attorneys for a Free Case Assessment
Select a reputable Augusta personal injury law firm to manage your airbag injury case. The experienced and competent car accident attorneys at Hawk Law Group are aware of the physical, emotional, and financial difficulties you have faced, and we are ready to represent you.
Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. The sooner you contact us, the quicker we can begin working on your behalf.
