Airbags have saved countless lives in auto accidents, and every car manufactured must meet government safety regulations. Older cars manufactured prior to regulations and that have airbags also must meet certain standards to ensure safety and efficacy.
Unfortunately, these features that are meant to improve driver and passenger safety may cause serious harm if they are defective and fail to work properly. When a Columbus driver sustains injury in a defective airbag-related accident, he or she is entitled to recover compensation for losses from the auto or part manufacturer.
Defective Airbags Can Cause Serious Injury
Airbags are just one of the many pieces of vehicle equipment that can malfunction and cause preventable injury. Airbags have been recalled for poor design features and for manufacturing defects. For instance, Toyota Motor Co. recently recalled 885,000 vehicles due to electrical problems that could prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.
In addition to failure to deploy, some of things that can go wrong with airbags include:
- late deployment;
- when airbags deploy too forcefully;
- when airbags deploy inadvertently; and
- shrapnel that shoots out of the airbag when it deploys.
When airbags don’t function correctly, serious injuries often follow. The driver and passengers can collide with the front or side of the vehicle and become injured by the airbag itself or by its components. Brain injuries, broken bones, puncture wounds, crushing injuries, internal bleeding and many other types of serious injuries are possible in these types of accidents.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Holding the Manufacturer Responsible
When someone is an accident and suffers injuries as the result of a faulty airbag, the victim is entitled to pursue compensation from the manufacturer. This requires investigating the accident, determining exactly which party is responsible, and filing a claim or a lawsuit against them. Plaintiffs may even enlist in the help of accident reconstructionists, parts inspectors, and medical experts to prove liability and damages to the courts.
Among other expenses and losses that are possible after a car accident, plaintiffs may collect damages for:
- medical bills;
- future treatments;
- lost wages and earning capacity; and
- pain and suffering.
A full case evaluation is important to identify all damages you’ve suffered and ensure you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled.
Obtaining Legal Counsel to Win Your Case
The first step in recovering damages after a serious accident involving defective airbags is to consult an accident attorney. Your attorney will collect basic information, determine if you have a solid case, and explain the claims process or process to file a lawsuit.
Work with a local attorney in Columbus that has experience handling product defect claims such as yours. If you or your loved one were recently injured in a defective product-related crash, contact us as Bressman Law today for a free case evaluation. Call (614) 538-1116 to schedule a no-cost consultation about your case.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
