Airbag Injuries
Airbags are designed to save lives. They cushion the impact of a crash, reducing the risk of severe injuries. But when they malfunction or deploy with excessive force, airbags can also cause serious harm. If you have suffered an airbag injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party.
At HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims in Louisville, KY, recover the compensation they deserve. A Louisville airbag injury lawyer can investigate your case, determine who is responsible, and fight for your rights. Contact our law office today at (502) 540-5700 to schedule a free case evaluation.Â
How HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Airbag Injury in Louisville, KY
At HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how devastating an airbag injury can be. We have decades of combined experience helping injury victims in Louisville, Kentucky, with hundreds of millions recovered. We are ready to stand by your side and fight for justice.
Here’s how our Louisville car accident lawyers can help after an airbag injury:
- Investigate your accident and determine liability
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Negotiate for maximum compensation
- Take your case to trial if necessary
- Provide compassionate legal guidance and personal attention
You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with a Louisville personal injury attorney. Let us help you explore your legal options for recovering the money you need.Â
What Are Common Types of Airbag Injuries in Louisville?
Airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph. That force can cause significant injuries, even when the airbag works correctly.Â
Common airbag injuries include:Â
- Burns: Airbag deployment can cause friction, thermal, and chemical burns.
- Facial injuries: High-speed deployment can lead to fractures, bruises, and lacerations
- Eye injuries: Airbag impact can cause corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, and alkaline keratitis. This is a chemical burn on the cornea from alkaline gas released during deployment.Â
- Brain injuries: Airbag deployment can cause mild to moderate brain injuries, even in occupants who are properly restrained.
- Fractures: The force of deployment can break bones, particularly the ribs, clavicle, and sternum.Â
- Lung and respiratory injuries: Chemicals released during deployment can worsen or cause asthma, bronchoconstriction, chemical pneumonitis, and more.Â
Some of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you suffered an airbag injury, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
What Causes Airbag Injuries in Louisville, Kentucky?
Several factors can contribute to airbag injuries, including how and when the airbag deploys.Â
Common causes of airbag-related injuries include:
- Not wearing a seatbelt: If you’re unrestrained, you may be thrown into the airbag with greater force.
- Sitting too close to the airbag: An airbag deploys within 20 to 30 milliseconds at up to 200 mph. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends sitting at least 10 inches away from the airbag to avoid serious injury if it deploys.Â
- Shorter stature: Shorter drivers, including many women and elderly individuals, are at greater risk of serious injuries from airbags. Shorter front-seat occupants are more likely to suffer facial injuries in a crash.Â
- Improper seating position: If your legs are on the dashboard or you’re leaning forward, you may suffer more severe injuries.Â
- Aftermarket modifications: Seat covers, steering wheel covers, or dashboard modifications can interfere with airbag function. Â
Many serious airbag injuries are the result of defective airbags or inflators. Defective airbags can make crash injuries worse or cause harm when they deploy unnecessarily.Â
The Takata airbag recall was the largest auto recall in history, affecting 67 million vehicles in the U.S. These airbags were found to explode unexpectedly, releasing metal shrapnel that caused at least 24 deaths and over 250 injuries.
If your airbag injury was caused by a defective airbag, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
What Damages Can I Recover For an Airbag Deployment Injury in Kentucky?
If you suffered an airbag injury, you may be entitled to compensatory damages for your financial and personal losses.Â
Economic damages compensate for losses with a clear financial value such as:Â
- Medical expenses, including your anticipated future medical costs
- Lost earnings for time you missed from work
- Future lost earnings if your injury affects your ability to work
- Property damage
- Reasonable out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages compensate for your losses that have no financial value. This includes physical pain, mental and emotional anguish, disfigurement or permanent scarring, and reduced quality of life.Â
Contact Our Louisville Airbag Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Have you been injured by an airbag in a car accident in Louisville, KY? You may be entitled to financial compensation, and HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We will put decades of experience to work to fight for compensation that’s fair and helps you move forward.Â
Call today for a free consultation with a Louisville airbag injury lawyer. Let us help you get justice.Â