You walked away from what should have been a serious crash, yet the airbags never went off. It’s a moment that can leave you questioning everything, from the safety of your vehicle to whether someone is responsible for what happened to you. When a safety system designed to protect you fails at the exact moment you need it most, the consequences can be devastating.
If you were injured in a collision and your airbags did not deploy, you may have legal options worth exploring. At Hollis Law Firm, we represent people who have been harmed through no fault of their own, and we understand how complex these cases can be. Our car accident lawyer is ready to listen to your story and help you understand the path forward.
Why Airbags Sometimes Don’t Deploy
Airbags are not designed to deploy in every collision. They are engineered to activate during crashes that meet specific force and angle thresholds, which means a low-speed impact or a crash from an unusual direction may not trigger them. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, front airbags are calibrated to deploy in moderate-to-severe frontal crashes, and side airbags are designed to protect occupants in certain lateral impacts.
That said, there is a significant difference between an airbag that did not deploy because it was not supposed to and one that failed due to a defect or malfunction. Understanding which situation you are in is the first step.
Common Reasons for Non-Deployment
There are several reasons an airbag may not deploy even in a serious crash:
- The crash angle or direction did not meet the sensor’s deployment criteria
- A faulty or damaged crash sensor failed to register the impact
- Wiring or electrical issues prevented the signal from reaching the inflator
- The airbag module itself was defective
- A prior accident or improper repair left the system in a compromised state
Each of these scenarios carries different implications for who may be held responsible. If a defect in the vehicle’s restraint system contributed to your injuries, the manufacturer or a negligent repair facility may bear liability.
Injuries That Can Occur When Airbags Fail
The human body is not built to absorb the force of a collision without protection. When airbags fail to deploy as intended, occupants are left to absorb that energy through the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, and other interior surfaces. The result can be catastrophic.
Head and Brain Trauma
Without an airbag to cushion the impact, the head can strike hard surfaces with tremendous force. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most common outcomes, ranging from concussions to severe, life-altering damage. These injuries are not always immediately obvious, which is why medical evaluation after any collision is critical.
Spinal and Neck Injuries
The violent forward momentum in a crash can compress and twist the spine in ways the body cannot withstand without restraint or support. Spinal cord injuries from unprotected impacts can lead to partial or full paralysis, requiring long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
What You Should Do After a Non-Deployment Crash
Acting quickly after this type of accident protects both your health and your legal rights. The first priority is always to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine immediately after the crash. Many serious injuries, including internal trauma and brain injuries, do not present symptoms right away.
Beyond medical care, preserving evidence is essential. The vehicle’s event data recorder, often called the black box, may contain information about the impact and whether the airbag system received a deployment signal. This data can be critical in a legal case and can be overwritten or lost if the vehicle is repaired or totaled without proper inspection. Do not allow the vehicle to be moved to a salvage yard or repaired until an attorney has had the opportunity to review your situation.
If a distracted driving accident or another driver’s negligence caused the crash and your airbags also failed, you may have claims against multiple parties, including the at-fault driver and the vehicle manufacturer.
How Hollis Law Firm Can Help You Pursue Fair Compensation
At Hollis Law Firm, we believe you should have a guide through one of the most difficult experiences of your life, not just a legal representative. Our philosophy is to take the time to understand your needs, provide the education you need to make informed decisions, and then act on your choices. You make the decisions. We fight for your rights.
Airbag failure cases involve technical investigation, expert analysis, and a thorough understanding of product liability law. We are prepared to pursue every avenue of recovery on your behalf. If your injuries resulted from a vehicle defect or a dangerous driver, you deserve fair compensation for what you have endured. Reach out through our contact form to tell us what happened, and let us help you determine your next steps.
