My Airbags Didn’t Deploy During a Car Accident. Now What?

In recent years, drivers across Florida have seen numerous recalls for faulty car airbags, many involving models affected by defective inflators or sensors that failed to trigger during collisions. 

These recalls highlight a critical safety concern: airbags are supposed to cushion the impact during a crash, but what happens when they don’t? 

If you or a loved one experienced a car accident in Florida where the airbags didn’t deploy, you may face severe injuries and difficult legal questions about who should be held accountable. 

The Morgan Law Group, with an experienced team of Florida car accident attorneys, understands the devastating impact of airbag failures and is committed to helping injured individuals seek justice and fair compensation.

How Do Airbags Deploy in Car Accidents?

Airbag deployment is one of the most vital features in modern vehicle safety systems. In the event of a collision, airbags are designed to inflate within milliseconds, creating a protective cushion that can prevent life-threatening injuries. 

But how does this process work, and at what speed do airbags deploy?

Most passenger vehicles use a network of sensors that constantly monitor the car’s speed, direction, and the severity of impact. When the system detects a significant collision, the control module triggers a small explosive charge, rapidly inflating the airbag. 

This process typically takes less than 1/20th of a second, allowing the airbag to fully inflate before the occupant’s body can move forward and strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield.

In many vehicles, airbags deploy when a moderate to severe impact is detected at speeds above 8 mph. However, airbag deployment can also depend on factors such as the angle of the crash, seatbelt use, and the precise location of impact sensors.

In some instances, a direct hit to the front bumper at lower speeds or at an off-center angle may not trigger airbag deployment. This is especially concerning when injuries result from accidents that should have activated the system.

What Can Happen if Airbags Didn’t Deploy During the Crash? 

When airbags don’t deploy during a car accident in Florida, the consequences can be catastrophic. Airbags are specifically designed to prevent serious head, neck, chest, and facial injuries by absorbing much of the impact force. If the airbags didn’t deploy, occupants are left vulnerable to direct collisions with hard interior surfaces.

In such a case that airbags didn’t deploy in a front-end collision, the driver, restrained by a seatbelt but still propelled forward, strikes the steering wheel with significant force, sustaining broken ribs, facial fractures, and a traumatic brain injury. 

• Increased Injury Severity: Without airbag deployment, even moderate-speed collisions can result in far more serious injuries.
• Long-Term Disability: Head, spinal, and orthopedic injuries are much more common when airbags fail.
• Fatalities: Some accidents result in preventable deaths when airbags don’t deploy.

For families affected by airbag failures, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. Determining why the airbags didn’t deploy and holding the responsible parties accountable becomes a top priority.

What Should I Do After the Crash if Airbags Didn’t Deploy? 

Experiencing a car accident in Florida is traumatic on its own, but realizing that your airbags didn’t deploy can add layers of confusion and frustration. If you find yourself in this situation, here are the steps you should take to protect your health, your rights, and any potential legal claims.

1. Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Care

Regardless of airbag deployment, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 and get immediate medical attention, even if you don’t feel hurt right away. Some injuries, especially those involving the brain, spine, or internal organs, may not be obvious at the scene.

2. Document the Accident Scene

Take photos and videos of the vehicles, showing the extent of damage and the fact that the airbags didn’t deploy. Make sure to capture multiple angles, including close-ups of the steering wheel, dashboard, and side pillars. If safe, photograph the exact point of impact.

3. Gather Witness Statements

If other drivers, passengers, or bystanders witnessed the crash, ask for their contact information and a brief statement about what happened. Independent witnesses can be crucial in later investigations.

4. Obtain the Police Report

A police report provides an official record of the accident, including officer observations that the airbags didn’t deploy during the crash. This report can serve as vital evidence in future claims.

5. Preserve Evidence

Do not allow your car to be repaired, destroyed, or disposed of until an attorney or automotive expert has inspected it. The black box and airbag control module may hold key data about the collision and why airbags didn’t deploy.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance provider, but avoid making statements about fault or the cause of airbag non-deployment until you consult with a car accident attorney.

Legal guidance is essential in cases involving faulty airbag deployment. The right car accident attorney in Florida can coordinate vehicle inspections, obtain crucial records, and begin the process of holding manufacturers or other parties responsible.

Who’s Liable if My Airbags Didn’t Deploy and I Got Injured?

When airbags didn’t deploy in a car accident in Florida, determining liability can be complex and often requires a thorough investigation. Multiple parties may be responsible, including:

• Car Manufacturers: Car companies are legally obligated to design and build vehicles with properly functioning safety systems. If a defect in the design, manufacturing, or installation of the airbag system caused the failure, the automaker may be held strictly liable for injuries.
• Airbag Component Manufacturers: Sometimes the problem lies with the supplier that made the airbag inflator, sensor, or module. Many recalls involve third-party component manufacturers whose products failed under crash conditions.
• Automotive Dealerships and Repair Shops: If a dealership or repair shop performed maintenance or repairs that interfered with the airbag system, or failed to correct a known recall, their negligence could make them liable for resulting injuries.
• Previous Owners: If you purchased a used car and the previous owner disabled the airbag warning light, failed to address a recall, or altered the system, they may bear some responsibility.

It’s still important to note that another driver’s negligence, who caused the accident, should still be considered. While insurance companies may cover the crash to some extent, a separate claim may address the non-deployment issue.

How Do I File a Product Liability Claim for Airbags Non-Deployment?

If you were injured in a car accident in Florida and your airbags didn’t deploy, you may have a product liability claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer. Product liability law allows consumers to seek compensation for injuries caused by defective products, including vehicle safety systems.

The foundation of a successful product liability claim is proof that the airbag system was defective and that this defect directly caused your injuries. This may involve:

• Design Defect: The airbag system, as designed, was unreasonably dangerous.
• Manufacturing Defect: A mistake occurred during assembly, resulting in a faulty component.
• Failure to Warn: The manufacturer failed to notify consumers about risks, recalls, or necessary repairs.

Manufacturers may claim that the crash did not meet the criteria for airbag deployment or that the system was tampered with after leaving the factory. An experienced Florida car accident attorney can address these defenses with strong evidence and expert testimony.

Compensation I Get for Injuries After Airbags Didn’t Deploy?

If your airbags didn’t deploy in a Florida car accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.

• Medical Expenses: This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing medical needs directly related to the injuries caused by the non-deployment.
• Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working – either temporarily or permanently – you may claim compensation for lost wages and future earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: Florida law allows injured individuals to recover damages for physical pain, emotional and mental issues, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: In cases where airbag non-deployment results in life-altering injuries, compensation may be awarded for permanent impairments or visible scarring.
• Property Damage: You may recover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
• Punitive Damages: If it’s proven that a manufacturer or other party acted with reckless disregard for safety, punitive damages may be available to punish wrongful conduct and deter future violations.

Every case is unique, and the amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the facts of your case and the quality of your legal representation.

Florida Product Liability Statute of Limitations

If you are considering a product liability claim because airbags didn’t deploy in a car accident, it is critical to act quickly. Florida’s statute of limitations for product liability claims imposes strict deadlines for filing such claims.

In most cases, you have 2 years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit for product liability involving a defective airbag. Failing to file within this period will likely result in losing your right to seek compensation. There are limited exceptions, such as when the injury was not discovered right away, but waiting can jeopardize your case. 

Reasons why timely action is important include: 

• Preservation of Evidence: Key evidence such as the damaged vehicle, black box data, and witness recollections may be lost over time.
• Recall Investigations: Manufacturers may issue new recalls or safety notices; acting quickly ensures your claim is not impacted by changing circumstances.
• Insurance Deadlines: Your own insurance policy may have shorter deadlines for reporting incidents.

If you believe your airbags didn’t deploy in a crash, do not delay in seeking legal advice.

Talk to Our Florida Car Accident Attorney Today

Many drivers and passengers have suffered preventable injuries due to defective or malfunctioning airbag systems. Your next steps can make all the difference.

A knowledgeable car accident attorney in Florida can help you understand your options, navigate the legal process, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Whether the fault lies with a manufacturer, dealer, or another party, you should not bear the burden of car airbag injuries alone, because The Morgan Law Group stands ready to support you.

Call us today at (305) 504-7642 or contact us using our online form to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney who can fight for your rights and advocate for your immediate recovery.