If you were hurt in a car crash, yet your airbags never deployed, you may be wondering if you can recover compensation for your injuries.
Call the South Bend car accident lawyers today to discuss your accident and see how we may be able to help you file a claim. We offer a free consultation and there are no fees while we work on your case.
Below, we discuss what you should know about accident claims in which airbags never deployed and how you may still be eligible to pursue the compensation you need.
When Are Airbags Supposed to Deploy?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags are generally supposed to deploy when there is a moderate to severe crash. These types of crashes are defined as frontal or near-frontal crashes that are equivalent to hitting a solid fixture at about eight to 14 miles per hour.
Airbags may or may not deploy during a crash depending on:
- Place of impact
- Type of vehicles involved
- Placement of airbag sensors
- Design of vehicle’s airbag system
- Speed of the vehicles before the crash
Why Would My Airbags Not Deploy During a Crash?
There are a few reasons the airbags in your vehicle may not have deployed during an accident. The main one being that the impact to your vehicle was not severe enough to trigger the airbag sensors, therefore, the airbags would not be deployed.
The location of the impact to your vehicle also matters. Because the sensors for airbags are usually in the front-end of a vehicle, a rear-end collision may not trigger a deployment. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, this type of crash could result in your vehicle being declared a total loss, yet no airbags were ever deployed.
In some rare instances, the airbags may have failed to deploy during an accident because of a malfunction or lack of airbags. For example, if you were involved in a previous accident in which your airbags deployed, but upon repairing the vehicle the airbags and the sensors were not replaced, this could also result in a failed airbag deployment.
Even if the airbags did not deploy, you may have suffered injuries that require treatment. Sometimes crashes without airbag deployment can cause serious injuries with delayed symptoms. It is important to seek medical treatment even if you were involved in a minor accident.
Can I Still File a Claim if my Airbag Never Deployed?
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation by filing a claim with that person’s insurance. This holds true even if the airbags in your vehicle were never deployed.
If you can prove you suffered damages, such as injuries or property damage, you may be able to recover compensation. It is important to work with an experienced attorney to help prove another driver is responsible for the accident that caused your injuries.
Hurt After a Crash? Call Us Today
Our attorneys have spent decades representing injury victims throughout the state of Indiana and are prepared to do the same for you.
With a track record of success securing verdicts and negotiating million-dollar settlements, our attorneys have the experience to help you pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
You can discuss your claim with one of our attorneys during a free consultation with no obligation to pursue legal action. We do not charge you anything up front and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Let us review your claim. Call today: (844) 678-1800
