Introduction

Safety devices like seat belts and airbags save thousands of lives annually, but in some cases, they can cause injuries of their own. Defective seat belts may fail to restrain occupants properly, and airbags can deploy with excessive force or at wrong times. If you've been injured by a safety device malfunction, you may have a product liability claim in addition to your accident claim.

This comprehensive guide covers common seat belt and airbag injuries, defective safety device claims, when manufacturers are liable, and pursuing compensation for injuries caused by safety equipment.

When safety devices cause harm instead of preventing it, manufacturers may be liable. We'll help you understand your rights and potential claims.

Seat Belt Injuries

Seat belts save lives but can cause injuries including chest contusions, rib fractures, abdominal injuries, spinal fractures, and internal organ damage. These injuries occur during normal function as the belt restrains the body during collision forces.

Seat belt injuries from normal operation are generally accepted trade-offs for the protection provided. However, when seat belts malfunction, injuries may be worse than they should have been.

Seat belt defects that create liability include buckles that release during crashes, webbing that tears or stretches excessively, retractors that fail to lock, and false latching where the belt appears buckled but isn't secured.

If your seat belt failed during a crash, the additional injuries caused by that failure are compensable through a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Airbag Injuries

Airbags deploy at speeds up to 200 mph and can cause injuries including facial fractures, eye injuries, burns from chemicals or friction, chest injuries, and hearing damage from deployment noise.

Some airbag injuries result from normal deployment. However, airbag defects that cause liability include excessive deployment force, deployment in minor collisions where restraint wasn't needed, failure to deploy in crashes requiring protection, and defective inflators that cause explosions.

The Takata airbag recall affected millions of vehicles with inflators that could explode and send metal shrapnel at occupants. If you were injured by a recalled airbag, you have strong product liability claims.

Airbag injuries to children and small adults can result from being too close to the airbag at deployment. Manufacturers must design systems that account for varying occupant sizes.

Product Liability Claims

Product liability claims against vehicle or safety equipment manufacturers are separate from your claim against the at-fault driver. You can pursue both claims simultaneously.

Manufacturers are strictly liable for defective products, meaning you don't need to prove negligence. You must prove the product was defective, the defect existed when it left the manufacturer, and the defect caused your injuries.

Types of defects include design defects where the safety device was inherently dangerous as designed, manufacturing defects where an individual unit was flawed, and failure to warn about proper use and risks.

Product liability claims can provide additional compensation beyond what's available from the at-fault driver's insurance, and manufacturers typically have substantial resources to pay claims.

Preserving Evidence

The vehicle and safety devices are critical evidence in product liability claims. Send a preservation letter immediately to prevent the vehicle from being repaired, salvaged, or destroyed.

Photograph the seat belt, airbags, and any deployed or damaged safety equipment before anything is moved or repaired. Document the position of the belt, condition of the buckle, and state of deployed airbags.

The vehicle's event data recorder (EDR) may contain information about crash forces and airbag deployment timing. This data must be preserved and downloaded before it's lost.

Retain all vehicle parts, including the seat belt assembly and airbag modules. Expert examination of these components is essential for proving defect claims.

Proving Defect Claims

Expert witnesses are essential in product liability cases. Engineers can examine the safety devices and identify defects, while medical experts connect those defects to your specific injuries.

Similar incident evidence showing other failures of the same device supports your claim. Recalls, technical service bulletins, and complaints to NHTSA indicate the manufacturer knew of problems.

Your attorney can investigate the manufacturer's testing and design decisions through discovery, potentially revealing that they knew of defects or chose inadequate designs to save costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover for seatbelt injuries from the accident?
Yes. Seatbelt and airbag injuries are compensable from the at-fault driver. Wearing a seatbelt doesn't reduce your recovery - you're required to wear one by law, and your injuries would likely be worse without it.
What if the airbag didn't deploy?
Failure to deploy when it should have may indicate vehicle defect, creating product liability claim against manufacturer. Have vehicle inspected immediately and preserve it. Airbag failure often causes more severe injuries, increasing damages.
Can I sue the car manufacturer for airbag injuries?
Yes, if airbag was defective - deployed when it shouldn't, failed to deploy when it should, or deployed with excessive force. Automotive engineers analyze whether deployment met safety standards. Parallel claims against driver and manufacturer possible.
What injuries do airbags commonly cause?
Chemical burns from deployment gases, facial fractures especially nose/cheekbones, eye injuries including retinal detachment, hand/wrist/arm fractures from steering wheel position, hearing damage from deployment noise, and chest injuries. More common in shorter drivers and children.
Will insurance reduce my settlement because the seatbelt caused injury?
No. Seatbelt use is required by law and likely prevented more serious injuries. Safety device injuries are fully compensable. Insurance companies may argue but can't legally reduce settlement for seatbelt use.
How do I prove an airbag defect?
Vehicle inspection and event data recorder analysis, engineering expert evaluation, manufacturer recall and complaint research, similar incident investigation, and comparison to deployment standards. Attorney with product liability experience essential.

Conclusion and Next Steps

When safety devices malfunction and cause injuries, manufacturers bear responsibility. Product liability claims can provide significant additional compensation beyond standard accident claims.

The most important steps you can take right now are: preserve the vehicle and all safety equipment, photograph deployed airbags and seat belt condition, don't allow repairs without documentation, and consult an attorney experienced in product liability.

If you've been injured by a seat belt or airbag malfunction, contact a qualified attorney for a free case evaluation. An experienced product liability attorney can investigate the defect, preserve critical evidence, and pursue claims against the manufacturer in addition to your accident claim.