Common Airbag Injuries and Your Legal Rights After an Accident

When airbags deploy during a car crash, they’re meant to save lives — and they do. But in some cases, the devices designed to protect you can leave behind serious harm.

At O’Brien & Ford, we’ve handled cases involving airbag injuries like facial fractures, eye irritation, whiplash, chest trauma, burns, and even hearing damage. These injuries often complicate recovery and create long-term concerns.

Understanding how airbag injuries happen and what legal remedies may be available is a critical step toward protecting your well-being and asserting your rights.

How Airbags Can Lead to Injuries in Car Crashes

Airbags are engineered to deploy in milliseconds during moderate to severe crashes. While that speed is necessary to prevent greater trauma, the force of deployment, combined with the chemicals, heat, and pressure involved, can cause significant physical damage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that while airbags save thousands of lives every year, improper positioning or deployment can result in injury, especially for children, small adults, and those not wearing seatbelts.

In many cases, airbag-related injuries stem from:

• Being too close to the airbag when it deploys.
• Malfunctioning or defective airbag systems.
• High-speed impact increases deployment force.
• Contact with hot gases or chemicals used in inflation.
• Passenger body positioning at the time of collision.

Understanding deployment mechanics helps explain why these safety devices can cause unintended harm, especially when something goes wrong.

Most Common Types of Airbag Injuries in Auto Accidents

Though airbags are lifesaving, they’re not gentle. The physical impact of an airbag can result in a range of injuries, from minor burns to life-altering trauma. Below are the most common categories in personal injury claims related to airbag deployment.

Facial Injuries

The face is often the first point of contact with an airbag. Victims may suffer:

• Bruising and abrasions.
• Broken noses or cheekbones.
• Eye injuries, including corneal abrasions or retinal detachment.
• Dental damage from blunt force.

These injuries can have both physical and emotional consequences, particularly when scarring or disfigurement is involved.

Chest Injuries

The rapid inflation of an airbag exerts immense pressure on the chest area, especially for front-seat passengers. Common injuries include:

• Rib fractures.
• Sternum bruising or breaks.
• Damage to the heart or lungs from blunt trauma.
• Breathing difficulties.

Chest injuries should always be treated as serious, even if symptoms appear mild initially.

Neck and Spinal Injuries

The sudden jolt of an airbag can snap the head forward and back quickly. This can lead to:

• Whiplash.
• Herniated discs.
• Cervical spine strain.
• Nerve compression.

These injuries often don’t show symptoms immediately, but can result in chronic pain or mobility issues if not addressed promptly.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue damage refers to injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. With airbag deployment, this can include:

• Shoulder strain.
• Arm and wrist injuries from bracing for impact.
• Inflammation and bruising.
• Torn ligaments in upper body areas.

While these may not seem serious initially, they can significantly restrict movement and affect daily life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Although less common, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when the head snaps violently or strikes a hard surface. These can range from mild concussions to more severe outcomes like:

• Memory loss.
• Cognitive impairment.
• Sensory changes.
• Long-term neurological issues.

If the head hits the side window or steering wheel before the airbag deploys, the risk of a TBI increases.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are some of the most dangerous because they may not be visible but can quickly become life-threatening. These include:

• Organ damage (especially to the liver or spleen).
• Internal bleeding.
• Diaphragm tears.
• Vascular trauma.

Any abdominal pain or dizziness following a crash should be evaluated immediately.

Legal Claims Involving Airbag Injury Cases

In legal terms, airbag injuries fall under personal injury law, specifically, motor vehicle accident claims. However, depending on the cause of the injury, these cases often involve additional complexities.

We often see liability fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Driver negligence: When another driver’s reckless behavior causes a crash, they can be held responsible for injuries, including those from airbags.
• Defective airbags: If the airbag malfunctioned, deployed late, or failed, there may be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
• Improper vehicle maintenance: If a repair shop failed to fix or inspect a faulty system, it could share liability.

To build a strong case, we help our clients gather evidence such as:

• Crash reports.
• Medical evaluations.
• Vehicle inspection reports.
• Witness testimony.
• Manufacturer recalls or defect notices.

Establishing who is responsible and how is critical in recovering damages.

What Compensation Can You Receive for Airbag Injuries?

Under New York law, individuals harmed by airbag injuries may be entitled to compensation for the accident’s immediate and long-term consequences, especially when the injury is linked to a defective or improperly functioning airbag. The amount and type of compensation depend on the severity of the injuries, how they affect daily life and employment, and the legal specifics of the case.

Here are some of the damages that may be pursued:

• Medical bills: Hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and medications.
• Lost wages: Time off work due to recovery.
• Pain and suffering: Both physical discomfort and emotional distress.
• Long-term care costs: For serious injuries with lasting impacts.
• Property damage: Repairs to your vehicle or belongings damaged in the crash.
• Special Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Injury-related costs like travel for medical appointments, home modifications, mobility aids, or childcare needed during recovery.

In product-related cases, where a defective airbag is proven to have caused the injury, additional compensation may be awarded in the form of punitive damages. These are designed to hold the manufacturer or distributor accountable and deter future negligence.

Speak With a Buffalo Injury Lawyer Who Understands Airbag Cases

Airbag-related injuries can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial burdens. When the harm results from a crash or a faulty airbag system, pursuing legal action may be the only way to recover the losses and move forward. Our team handles these cases with care, clarity, and a commitment to making the process less overwhelming.

Call O’Brien & Ford at 716-222-2222 for a free consultation. We’ll review the details, explain your rights, and work to secure the outcome you deserve — so you can focus on healing.

Chris O’Brien

Chris O’Brien is a nationally recognized personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims in Western New York. A founding partner at O’Brien & Ford, he has helped recover millions for clients and built a reputation as a top trial lawyer and educator. Chris is a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and was named one of Western New York’s Top Ten Lawyers by Buffalo Business First. He lives in Amherst with his family and their Bernedoodle, Moose.

Years of experience: 33 years
Practice areas: Personal Injury Law, Car Accidents
Location: Buffalo, New York