Airbags have been a federally mandated standard feature in cars and light trucks since the 1990s. Engineers designed this innovative technology to absorb crash energy and prevent you from violently slamming into the steering wheel or dashboard.
So if you are involved in a moderate-to-severe crash, it is very likely that your vehicle’s airbags deployed. Keep reading to learn how this can impact your injury claim—and why.
Airbag deployment significantly impacts your injury claim by proving the severity of the collision. Insurance companies and accident investigators view a crash where airbags deployed as concrete evidence that the collision involved substantial force. This makes it easier to justify the seriousness of your injuries and demand higher compensation.
While airbags are truly lifesaving, they deploy with explosive force. After a crash, they inflate within a fraction of a second at speeds of up to 200 mph. The impact can cause a number of injuries, and sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard makes things worse. Common airbag injuries that may be compensable include:
While airbags are meant to save lives, they are not foolproof. Like any safety equipment in your vehicle, airbags can fail. You may have an additional product liability claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer in addition to your standard auto accident claim. The airbag itself may malfunction or cause severe injuries due to:
Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault system to determine your share of compensation. This rule states that you can only recover damages if you are 49 percent or less at fault for your injuries. If the insurance company proves your injuries were worsened by sitting too close to the dashboard or failing to wear a seatbelt, your overall payout may be reduced.
If your vehicle’s airbags deployed, it is going to impact your injury claim significantly. In Tennessee, it may increase the value of your settlement or complicate your case if you were not wearing your seatbelt.
We invite you to set up a free consultation with a member of our highly acclaimed and respected legal team to discuss your options. We are Nashville’s Best Law Firm according to The Tennessean’s Best of Music City Awards, and we will aggressively pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under the law.