Airbags are essential safety features that protect drivers and passengers from suffering serious injuries in car accidents. If a vehicle manufacturer fails in their duty to consumers and the airbags don’t deploy as they’re supposed to, the resulting crash could be catastrophic. In such an instance, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation.
How Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help if You’ve Suffered Airbag Injuries in Augusta, Georgia
Being in a car accident without the protection of an airbag could mean facing everything from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). To receive the financial assistance you need to cover your medical expenses and other losses, one option you have is to file a personal injury claim. Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys can help.
We offer a number of services to clients in Augusta, Georgia, including:
Investigation of the accident and the airbag malfunction
Evidence-gathering, including speaking with witnesses
Liability determination
Settlement negotiation
Representation in court if a fair settlement is impossible
Our Augusta car accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined legal experience, which we’ve applied to help clients recover over $160 million in settlements and jury verdicts. We understand how stressful this moment in your life is, so you can expect compassionate and tenacious representation. Contact our team today to arrange your free consultation.
Common Airbag Injuries in Augusta
Being in a car accident in which the airbag doesn’t function properly could mean suffering a variety of injuries, including the following:
Chest Injuries
If the airbag deploys with too much force or doesn’t deploy at all, you could sustain a chest injury. One of the most common types of chest injuries is rib fractures, which can be extremely painful and take a long time to heal. In the worst case, a cracked rib bone could damage your lungs or other nearby organs.
Facial Injuries
You could also suffer significant facial injuries after hitting your head against the dashboard or steering wheel. Such an impact could result in a broken nose, orbital fractures, and even retinal damage.
An exploding airbag could also send shrapnel flying into your skin. This could lead to scarring that requires reconstructive surgery and leaves you with permanent disfigurements.
Soft Tissue Injuries
A malfunctioning airbag can also cause damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These sorts of injuries can cause serious pain and limit your range of motion. They can also take several days to manifest, making them difficult to document and treat.
Neck and Spinal Injuries
If the airbag deploys with excessive force, neck and spinal injuries are a potential outcome. Cervical injuries are particularly dangerous, as they put you at risk of partial or complete paralysis.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If you hit your head against the dashboard or steering wheel on impact, you could suffer a concussion or another form of traumatic brain injury. These injuries occur when an external force causes your brain to collide with the inside of the skull, damaging cerebral tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.
Assigning Liability for Airbag Injuries
Most people aren’t sure who’s responsible for an accident that results in injuries because an airbag doesn’t deploy as designed. If another driver was to blame for the crash, you can file a claim against their insurance. You’ll have to prove that their negligence resulted in your losses.
You may also have the right to pursue a claim against the manufacturer of the airbags or the vehicle. Product liability laws protect consumers who suffer injuries because of defective products. You don’t have to demonstrate that the defect occurred as a result of negligence — you only have to show that the malfunction exists and that it led to your losses.
Product liability cases are complex and often require the testimony of expert witnesses who can explain how a particular product is defective. You’ll also need to negotiate with the insurance companies of commercial businesses, which is never something you should do without legal representation.
Contact Our Augusta Airbag Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt as a result of another party’s negligence or reckless actions, you have the right to file a claim for compensation. Following a car accident in which an airbag malfunctions, you could hold both the at-fault driver and the manufacturer of the vehicle or faulty part responsible.
However, these sorts of claims aren’t easy to manage. You could end up getting a much lower settlement than you deserve if you pursue yours without dependable legal advocacy. Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys can help you file your claim and stand up for your rights. Contact our Augusta airbag injury attorneys today for a free consultation.