CAR, TRUCK, AND MOTORCYCLE CRASHES Chris Stolmeier
Most Common Airbag Injuries
Airbags are one of the most important safety features in a vehicle and have saved many lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags saved 50,457 lives from 1987-2017.
Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe accidents and may even deploy in a minor accident. Airbags save lives because they reduce the chance that your upper body will come into contact with the the steering wheel, windshield, or dashboard. Front airbags have been used in all standard cars since model year 1998 and in all SUVs, vans, and trucks since model year 1999.
However, airbag injuries can still be serious. The following are some airbag injuries that can occur during a car accident:
- Abrasions
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Facial Fractures
- Finger Fractures
- Hand Fractures
- Wrist Fractures
- Chest Injuries
- Rib Fractures
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Eye Injuries
Importance of Vehicle Safety
Airbags are built into your vehicle as a safety measure to protect you from accidents. Airbags are designed to slow your momentum during a car accident and increase the time that it takes your body to come to a stop. When the airbag deploys and your body makes contact with it, your body will compress the airbag. This compression extends the time for your body to come to into contact with the steering wheel or dashboard. If an airbag is not present in your vehicle during a car accident your body will have no time to decelerate and will contact the steering wheel or dashboard at full speed, leading to more severe injuries than if your vehicle had an airbag.
However, airbags should not be the only safety feature you rely on when you drive your vehicle. Unlike an airbag that is built into your vehicle and prevents you from choosing when or when not to use it, a seat belt gives you the option for increase safety every time you enter your vehicle. A seat belt can significantly decrease the amount and severity of injuries you suffer in a car accident. Seat belts should always be worn and are one of the best interior safety devices other than an airbag. Using an airbag and a seat belt simultaneously can significantly reduce your injuries. Additionally, the use of a seatbelt can increase your damage award because opposing lawyers could argue that a failure to use a seatbelt was a contributing factor to your injuries, and your damage award may be reduced.
Contact Stolmeier Law
Stolmeier Law is a family owned and operated law firm. We have been serving car accident and other personal injury victims in San Antonio and South Texas for over 35 years. Unlike other firms, we will not treat you as just another case number. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you against high priced defense lawyers to maximize your compensation. So if you or a loved one has suffered life changing injuries in a car accident, contact Stolmeier Law. Let this family fight for you