The Effects of Airbag Deployment in Your New Port Richey Car Accident Claim
January 14, 2025 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident
Whether your airbags deploy during a car accident can impact several aspects of your car accident claim. In some situations, airbag deployment can strengthen your argument for maximum damages in a car accident case due to the increased severity of injuries. Keep reading to learn more about airbag deployment and car accident claims in New Port Richey, FL.
How Do Airbags Work in a New Port Richey Car Accident?
Airbags are designed to protect individuals during a car accident. According to the NHTSA, airbags have saved approximately 50,000 lives in over three decades. When an airbag deploys, it prevents the driver from striking the steering wheel or dashboard. Side airbags protect the person from striking the door or window.
When a vehicle is in a collision, a chemical reaction inside the airbag is triggered by a sensor. The chemical reaction causes the airbag to fill with gas in less than a second. The airbag acts as a barrier to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
What Are the Effects of Airbag Deployment on New Port Richey Car Accident Claims?
The two most common ways that airbag deployment impacts a car accident case are:
Airbag Injuries
Airbags deploy with a tremendous amount of force. Even though the airbag may prevent you from striking a window, the steering wheel, or the dashboard, the airbag could result in injuries. Airbag injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Cardiac injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Hearing loss
- Eye injuries
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Lung and chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones and fractures
If an airbag is defective, the risk of injury is greater. Malfunctioning and defective airbags can cause catastrophic injuries and death. A defective airbag may fail to deploy, which could increase the risk of death and severe injury in a car crash.
Support a Car Accident Claim
Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe collisions. A person may be injured in a low-speed car accident. The characteristics of the crash determine the risk of serious injury, and each car accident is unique.
Generally, the risk of severe injuries increases in moderate to severe car accidents. Many insurance adjusters downplay the severity of a collision to deny or undervalue claims. If your airbag deploys during the accident, it is much more difficult for the insurance company to assert that your crash was a “minor” accident.
However, airbag deployment is not the only indicator of the severity of a crash, nor does it always indicate a person suffered serious injuries. Additional evidence is required to prove fault and recover damages for a car crash. An attorney can help you gather the evidence necessary to prove your injuries and damages for a car accident claim.
Who Is Liable for Airbag Injuries and Damages in a Car Accident Claim?
Many accident victims are limited to filing a no-fault insurance claim with their PIP insurance provider. However, Florida insurance laws allow accident victims to sue the at-fault driver if they sustain injuries that meet the “serious injury” threshold.
PIP insurance only covers a portion of your medical bills and lost wages. However, it does not cover pain and suffering unless your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold, in which case you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
If you sustain serious injuries, the at-fault driver could be liable for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Personal and/or nursing care
Even though an airbag causes injuries or increases the severity of some injuries in an accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for all damages caused by the accident. An exception would be if the airbag were defective or malfunctioned. In that case, the airbag and/or vehicle manufacturer could share liability for your damages.
Contact the New Port Richey Car Accident Law Firm of Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in New Port Richey today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196
