Airbag Defect Attorneys in Miami

Airbags have saved millions of lives across the world. In the event of a collision, an effective airbag can mean the difference between minor cuts and bruises and serious head injuries or deaths. Unfortunately, drivers and passengers never get the chance to test their airbags and make sure they function well until an accident occurs. Drivers and passengers in a vehicle with defective airbags may never know about the danger the airbag poses until it is too late. If you were in an accident where the airbag failed to deploy or the airbag caused a serious injury, the Miami airbag defect attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. can help.

For years, automakers have been required to install airbags in cars, trucks, and SUVs. While these devices are undoubtedly helpful in preventing injuries, they are not without their faults. Airbags are designed to deploy in accidents that occur at speed greater than 20 to 25 miles per hour. In most vehicles, airbags are installed in the front and sides of vehicles. Used in conjunction with seatbelts, these devices can prevent an occupant’s head from smashing into the windshield, steering wheel, or vehicle interior in case of a crash. Airbag systems are controlled by the vehicle’s computer and specialized sensors. When a sensor or other part of this system fails, the airbag might deploy too forcefully, deploy without enough force, or fail to deploy entirely. When the airbag fails, occupants of the vehicle stand a greater chance of being seriously injured.

Defective airbags took hold of the national spotlight recently after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration forced automakers to issue the country’s largest vehicle recall. The NHTSA recalled millions of vehicles after it learned that airbags manufactured by Takata, Corp., were manufactured in defective housings, which could shatter during deployment. The Takata airbags would then launch metal pieces of this housing like shrapnel toward the driver during an accident, causing multiple injuries and deaths.

While many of the defective Takata airbags have been removed and replaced, these airbags are not the only dangerous safety devices on the road. In some vehicles, the airbag sensors may be defective or improperly placed, which may cause the airbag not to deploy at all. Other airbags may deploy with too much force, or at times when they are not needed, causing unnecessary injuries to drivers or passengers. Finally, some airbags may be improperly secured to the vehicle, causing the airbag to come loose and injured the vehicle’s occupants.

Even when an airbag is properly placed and free of defects, an automobile manufacturer may still be liable for failing to warn drivers and passengers of the dangers the safety devices pose. Since airbags deploy at very high speeds, they are inherently dangerous to people who cannot safely absorb the impact—for instance, children and people of very small stature. For those people, sitting near the airbag can cause serious injuries like head and neck trauma or brain damage. If a vehicle manufacturer fails to warn the occupants of the vehicle of these dangers, the manufacturer may be liable for any injuries the airbag causes.

When an airbag fails, the vehicle’s computer system will often report a fault code. Miami accident lawyers like those at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., work with knowledgeable mechanics and motor vehicle professionals who will look for these issues and gather valuable evidence of a failed car part or hidden vehicle defect. If you have been injured by a defective airbag, don’t wait to get the help you need. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including payments for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For a free case evaluation, contact our office today by calling (877) 475-2905.