Airbags were introduced in the 1980s. Since 1999, they’re a requirement in all new passenger vehicles. They’re one of the most significant automotive safety innovations implemented in recent decades, credited with preventing tens of thousands of crash-related deaths. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, frontal airbags alone are estimated to have saved more than 50,450 lives — enough to fill a major league baseball stadium—from 1987 to 2017.
However, in some cases, these essential safety devices cause serious injuries rather than prevent them. Although some airbag injuries heal with time and treatment, others result in devastating scarring or disfigurement that can negatively affect employment, relationship prospects, self-esteem, mental health, and enjoyment of life.
If you sustained substantial scarring or disfiguring injuries in a Georgia car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering taking legal action.
How Airbag Deployment Injuries Occur
To understand how these injuries occur, it helps to first understand where airbags are located and what makes them deploy. Airbags are standard on virtually every passenger car—a frontal airbag in the steering wheel protects the driver, while another in the dashboard protects the front passenger. Some automakers may position additional airbags throughout the vehicle for added protection. Common locations for extra airbags include doors and rear ceiling compartments.
The airbags in your vehicle are connected to crash sensors that are programed to deploy them if the car is involved in a head-on or near head-on collision at speeds greater than approximately 10 mph. The process goes like this: The collision is detected by the airbag sensor, which triggers an igniter to release argon, nitrogen, or a similar gas that causes the airbag to deploy forcefully—and then deflate almost immediately. This all occurs in roughly 1/20th of a second. The speed and force of the deployment, along with the chemical used to induce it (and those created as a byproduct of the chemical reaction), are among the most common causes of disfiguring airbag injuries.
Disfiguring Injuries Associated With Airbag Deployment
Common airbag injuries that lead to scarring or disfigurement include:
- Eye injuries. If one, or both, eyes sustain the full force of deployment or come into contact with the chemicals used to create it, a loss of vision—or even loss of the eye itself—may result.
- Dental injuries. The force of a deploying airbag can feel like a punch to the mouth on steroids. Broken jawbones or loose or knocked-out teeth are frequent occurrences.
- Facial injuries. The face can suffer a number of injuries when an airbag deploys. The force of deployment often leads to broken facial bones, and chemical burns can cause major scarring. These types of injuries often require extensive reconstructive surgeries.
Potential Damages Available in Scarring and Disfigurement Cases
As in any personal injury case, airbag disfigurement victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other accident-related losses. Scarring and disfigurement cases also give special attention to the victim’s claims for pain and suffering damages, which could include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Humiliation
- Loss of self-confidence
- Loss of career
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Not all airbag scarring or disfigurement cases are created equally. Multiple factors will be weighed to determine whether you’re entitled to a settlement or financial award and, if so, what the amount of your recovery should be. These factors can include:
- Location of the scar or disfiguring injury. Prominent scars that are visible even when you’re fully clothed may result in more compensation than those that can be successfully covered.
- The individual’s age. The younger you are, the more compensation you’re likely to receive, as younger victims will be forced to cope with their disfigurement for a longer period of time than older victims.
- The severity of the scar and whether it’s permanent. Severe scarring that isn’t likely to fade and improve in appearance with time will lead to greater damages.
Schedule a Consultation With a Skilled GA Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a Georgia vehicle collision, you should speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online, or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 to schedule your free consultation.