Airbags are critical safety features designed to protect vehicle occupants during collisions. However, when airbags fail to deploy as intended, the consequences can be catastrophic. Legal claims related to airbag failures are complex and often involve product liability laws, where automakers and component manufacturers may be held accountable for design, manufacturing, or warning defects that cause injuries. This article explores the technical aspects of airbag deployment failures and the legal avenues available for victims seeking compensation.
Technical Failures Leading to Airbag Non-Deployment
Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes through a rapid inflation process triggered by sensors detecting an impact. However, numerous technical issues can prevent deployment. These include:
Defective Crash Sensors: Sensors play a critical role in airbag deployment by detecting the collision force and sending a signal to trigger the airbag. If these sensors are defective due to poor calibration, design flaws, or improper installation, they may fail to activate the airbags when necessary, leaving occupants unprotected during an accident.
Electrical Failures in Airbag Control Units (ACUs): Electrical issues within the airbag control unit are a common cause of non-deployment. For example, Toyota faced lawsuits over defective ACUs caused by faulty wiring and improper soldering, which disrupted the signal needed to deploy the airbags. Such failures often occur over time as components degrade, leading to intermittent or complete loss of functionality.
Inflator Problems: Airbag inflators, responsible for filling the airbag with gas upon impact, can also malfunction. ARC Automotive’s inflators, similar to those in the Takata scandal, were found to rupture upon deployment, sending metal shrapnel into the cabin and causing severe injuries or fatalities. Design flaws, material defects, and exposure to environmental conditions like moisture can degrade the inflator’s propellant, increasing the risk of malfunction.
System Design Defects: Poor overall design of the airbag system, including how components interact, can lead to deployment failures. For example, airbag wiring routed through tight vehicle spaces may suffer damage over time, interrupting the electrical pathway necessary for deployment.
Product Liability Claims
Airbag deployment failure cases often fall under product liability law, which can hold manufacturers strictly liable for defective products that cause injury, regardless of whether negligence can be proven. To succeed in a lawsuit, a plaintiff must generally demonstrate:
The airbag contained a defect (design, manufacturing, or warning) and should have deployed during the crash.
The defect directly caused or worsened the injuries sustained.
No significant alterations were made to the airbag after it left the manufacturer’s control.
Types of Legal Claims and Compensation
Victims of airbag failures can pursue several types of claims, including individual lawsuits and class actions. Compensation typically covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages in cases of egregious manufacturer conduct. Notable cases, such as those involving Takata airbags, have highlighted manufacturers’ failures to disclose known defects and adequately warn the public, resulting in significant settlements.
Challenges in Proving Airbag Failure Claims
Proving an airbag should have deployed but didn’t can be technically complex. Plaintiffs often rely on expert testimony from engineers, product designers, and accident reconstruction specialists to establish that the airbag system malfunctioned. These experts analyze crash data, inspect vehicle components, and evaluate the airbag system's performance relative to design specifications.
Conclusion
Airbag failures pose significant safety risks and complex legal challenges. As technology in vehicle safety systems evolves, so do the types of failures that can occur, underscoring the importance of rigorous testing and transparent communication from manufacturers. Victims of airbag non-deployment incidents should seek legal advice to understand their rights and pursue compensation for their injuries.
For further details on your specific case or if you need assistance with an airbag deployment failure claim, consulting with a product liability attorney can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances.
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Obtaining a settlement that adequately covers your immediate and future needs can be a challenging task, even when there's clear evidence of wrongdoing and negligence by the offending party. In such cases, an experienced attorney can provide crucial assistance in navigating the legal complexities involved. If you have been injured in an accident, contact Phillips & Associates at (818) 348-9515 for a free consultation today. We will work diligently and aggressively towards securing the best possible outcome in your case.
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