Available data indicates that up to four times as many people die or suffer injuries when airbag defects keep them from deploying than when airbags simply deploy in an improper manner. While airbags save many thousands more people than they injure or kill, Houston airbag defect accidents and injuries cost victims, their families, and society enormous sums.
When an airbag fails to deploy in a crash, the cause might be one or more of the following defects:
Sensors are supposed to take account of a vehicle occupant’s weight, position, size, and seat position to ensure that an airbag deploys when and how it’s intended to deploy. But even the best sensor systems remain limited machines capable of misinterpreting human data. A small person holding a heavy parcel on their lap could fool the sensor into adjusting airbag deployment for a much larger and heavier person.
Weight and size forms the basis of the sensor’s calculation of your forward velocity during a crash. Misinterpretation of the data to develop a false image of your size and weight could cause the airbag to deploy too early or too late.
Airbags can deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph. They need that speed to reach proper positioning in the milliseconds before a crash impact and save you from dire injuries or death. But you don’t want to meet an airbag traveling at 200 mph at the improper moment. An inflated airbag traveling at 200 mph can feel like a solid wall when you hit it.
On the other hand, if the airbag has already deflated before you reach it, you might impact the steering wheel or the interior of your vehicle instead with only the thin layer of empty airbag fabric to cushion you.
As you might understand, the potential for injury or fatality from defective airbags is great. If you’ve been injured because of an airbag defect or you’ve lost a loved one to a defective airbag, you already know the major toll that a slight defect can take on human life.
Our Houston airbag defect attorneys could help you make a full financial recovery for the heavy costs of your airbag defect injury. Let our experience guide you to a successful outcome against the automakers whose defective airbag cost you so much. Contact us today through our website or toll free at 877-307-9500. Let us put our legal expertise and extensive personal injury knowledge to work for the benefit of you and your family.