Nashville Defective Airbag Injury Attorney

Fighting For Defective Airbag Injury Victims in Tennessee

Airbags are supposed to save lives and prevent car accident injuries. While most do just that, a defective airbag can actually do more harm than good. When an airbag fails to deploy, or there is a defect in the overall design, serious injuries and even wrongful death can result. If a design or manufacturing defect is to blame for an airbag malfunction, the manufacturer will often issue a recall. One recent recall involving Takata airbags has put millions of people around the world at risk.

If a failed or defective airbag caused your injuries, you may be entitled to monetary damages to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Nashville auto accident lawyer Stanley A. Davis has been practicing law in Tennessee for nearly 28 years. He can investigate your accident to find out who exactly is responsible for your airbag injuries. Holding the designer or manufacturer accountable for their negligence will not only help you through your recovery but could lead to a recall, saving many more people from injury or death.

Call the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis today at (615) 866-3938 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our defective airbag injury lawyer in Nashville.

What are the Most Common Airbag Defects?

When working properly, airbags inflate during a car accident to protect the occupants of the vehicle from colliding with the steering wheel, windshield, and dashboard. They can effectively prevent serious injuries and wrongful death. However, any defect that prevents airbags from deploying correctly or safely can cause even more injury than a crash. Some of the most common airbag defects and issues include:

• Airbag failure – If the airbag is manufactured or installed incorrectly, the sensors may not register the force of a crash. During airbag failures, occupants of the car have no protection between them and the inside of the vehicle.
• Overly forceful airbags – Sometimes a design defect causes an airbag to inflate too quickly or with too much force. This can slam you into the back of your seat, resulting in injuries to your face and chest as well as head and neck. Overly forceful airbags are a particular danger to children.
• Unnecessary deployment – Airbags should deploy only in the event of a crash that happens over a specific speed. Defects sometimes lead to airbags going off after only a minor fender bender or even completely randomly.
• Dangerous materials – Some of the most dangerous recalled airbags are manufactured with dangerous materials. Airbag burns, poisoning, and serious personal injuries from exploding parts can result from improper manufacturing techniques. The defective Takata airbags were made of materials that degrade easily when exposed to heat. These materials can then explode outward when the airbag goes off, resulting in severe injuries caused by flying metal fragments.
• Faulty deployment – If an airbag deploys even a fraction of a second too late or at a slightly skewed angle, you are at risk for serious head and neck injuries.

It is not always easy to determine who is responsible for airbag failure or defects. The designer, manufacturer, distributor, or even the retailer may be to blame. However, a Nashville personal injury law firm can help you find the person or company responsible for your defective airbags.

Common Injuries from Airbag Defects and Failures

A defective airbag can fail to prevent car accident injuries or can even cause additional harm to a driver or passenger. A car crash involves every part of your body, so airbag injuries can vary widely in both types and severity. Some of the most common airbag injuries include:

• Cuts and bruises (especially to the face)
• Airbag burns
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss
• Internal injuries
• Broken bones (especially nose, wrists, and ribs)

Recovering from airbag injuries can be a long, difficult process that could end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is especially true if you sustain catastrophic injuries that result in permanent disabilities such as paralysis or blindness. However, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your expenses if designer or manufacturer negligence caused your airbag injuries.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Defective Airbag Injury?

In cases of airbag failure, one or more parties could be held liable:

• Airbag Manufacturers: The primary responsibility for a defective airbag often falls on the manufacturer. A manufacturing defect or design flaw in the airbag or related components can make the manufacturer liable.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: In cases where the airbag failure is related to installation or other vehicle integration issues, the car manufacturer may also share liability.
• Dealerships or Distributors: If the airbag defect occurred during handling, storage, or sales processes, the dealership or distributor may bear some responsibility.
• Maintenance Providers: In rare cases, improper repair work on the airbag system could contribute to malfunction, implicating the maintenance or repair provider.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Defective Airbag Injury Claim?

Potential damages may include:

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: This includes the expense of all current and future medical treatments that are related to the injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications.
• Lost Wages: If the injury has stopped you from working, lost wages may be recovered. This can also include future lost earnings if the injury limits future employment opportunities.
• Property Damage: While often less substantial, property damage may be included if your vehicle or other personal items were damaged as a result of the airbag malfunction.
• Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs: Serious injuries may require physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health counseling. These expenses can be substantial, and recovery for these costs can be pursued.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be granted for the physical pain and suffering from airbag-related injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Severe injuries can cause anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other forms of emotional distress that impact the victim’s quality of life.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For injuries that result in a long-term disability or impairment, damages may be awarded to account for the loss of activities and lifestyle aspects that the victim once enjoyed.
• Loss of Consortium: If the injury has impacted a relationship, spouses and family members may also seek compensation for loss of companionship and affection.
• Punitive Damages: In some instances, punitive damages could also be awarded. These damages are intended to penalize the responsible parties for egregious misconduct, such as knowingly allowing defective products to enter the market. Punitive damages are rare, but when awarded, they can serve as a deterrent against future negligence by manufacturers or other liable parties.

Contact Defective Airbag Injury Lawyer in Nashville Today

If an airbag defect caused or contributed to your car accident injuries, contact Nashville auto accident lawyer Stan Davis today. In a free consultation, he can review your case and explain your legal options. Your lawsuit could contribute to the safety of all vehicles in addition to easing your financial worries.

Fill out a contact online review form or call our Nashville defective airbag injury attorney for more information.