Managing Partner
When your airbags fail to deploy in a collision, you may be able to bring a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer. These cases often turn on whether the airbag system was defective, whether the crash met the deployment threshold, and whether the failure to deploy made your injuries worse. Understanding how these claims work can help you decide your next steps after an accident.
When You Can Sue for Airbag Non-Deployment
Airbag lawsuits typically fall under product liability law. You may have a claim if the airbag system did not work as designed or if the manufacturer failed to warn you about known defects. We take a close look at how the system functions, the severity of the crash, and the type of injuries you suffered.
Common scenarios that support a claim include:
- Sensors that failed to detect the collision
- Faulty wiring or electrical connection problems
- Airbags that contain a design flaw across multiple model years
- A manufacturing error that caused only your system to fail
If the vehicle or component manufacturer acted negligently or sold a defective system, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
How Deployment Thresholds Affect Your Case
Airbags do not deploy in every collision. Manufacturers design them to deploy only when the force of impact reaches a specific threshold. This prevents unnecessary deployments that can cause injuries by themselves.
We evaluate whether your crash should have triggered deployment based on:
- Speed and direction of the impact
- Location of the collision
- Data from the event recorder
- The vehicle’s design specifications
If the crash met the expected threshold and the airbag still did not deploy, that strengthens the argument that the system was defective.
Was It a Defect or a Proper Non-Deployment?
A key part of these cases is distinguishing between a system failure and a situation where the airbag was not supposed to deploy. For example, airbags often do not deploy in minor rear-end collisions, low-speed parking lot impacts, or crashes that do not hit the sensor zones.
We review engineering reports, crash data, and repair records to determine whether the system acted as it was designed to. If the non-deployment lines up with the manufacturer’s specifications, there may not be a basis for a claim. However, if the system should have activated based on the severity and angle of the crash, non-deployment may indicate a defect.
How to Prove the Airbag System Was Defective
Product liability cases require evidence that the defect existed when the vehicle left the manufacturer. We work with engineers and accident reconstruction professionals to examine each part of the system, including:
- Sensor alignment
- Wiring and electrical continuity
- Airbag module integrity
- Crash data recording
- Manufacturer recall history
The more documentation we have, the stronger your claim will be. We also gather medical records to show how your injuries relate to the failure of the airbags.
Showing that Non-Deployment Caused or Increased Your Injuries
Even if the airbag was defective, you must show that the failure to deploy contributed to the injuries you suffered. We often do this by analyzing:
- The force of impact on your upper body
- Injuries that airbags typically prevent
- How your injuries may have been reduced with proper deployment
- Medical opinions that connect the missing airbag protection to the harm you experienced
If we can show that deployment would have reduced the severity of your injuries, this supports a strong damages claim.
What to Do After an Airbag Fails in a Crash
If your airbags did not deploy, you can strengthen your case by taking these steps as soon as possible:
- Photograph the vehicle before repairs
- Request a copy of the event data recorder information
- Keep all repair estimates and insurance communications
- Seek medical care right away and follow through with treatment
- Avoid disposing of the vehicle without legal guidance
Preserving evidence makes it easier for us to investigate the defect and determine what went wrong.
Your Path to Answers and Recovery
If your airbags failed when you needed them most, we will help you understand your legal options and protect your right to compensation. Contact Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook to schedule a consultation and get the guidance you need to move forward.