Law Office of Robert Mansour
Santa Clarita, CA Airbag Failure Injury Cases
|
|
|
SANTA CLARITA AIRBAG FAILURE ATTORNEY
Airbags are designed to save lives, but when they malfunction — whether by failing to deploy in a serious collision, or deploying when they shouldn't — the resulting injuries can form the basis of a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
How Airbags Work
- Crash sensors: modern vehicles are equipped with sensors that detect sudden deceleration or impact
- Airbag Control Module (ACM): when sensors detect a significant impact, they send signals to the ACM
- Ignition of inflators: the ACM activates the airbag system, igniting a small amount of solid propellant that rapidly produces gas
- Inflation: the gas fills the airbag, causing it to deploy rapidly
Airbags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions — not in minor accidents, side impacts, or rear-end collisions. The decision to deploy depends on the vehicle's speed change, direction of impact, and other sensor-evaluated factors.
Reasons Airbags Fail to Deploy
- Low impact severity: if the impact is below the manufacturer's set threshold, airbags may not deploy — though this can itself be a point of dispute if the threshold was set unreasonably high
- Sensor malfunction: faulty crash sensors or an issue with the airbag control module
- Power failure: an electrical failure affecting the system's ability to deploy
- Outdated system: older vehicles may have less advanced airbag technology
Reasons for Unintended (Inadvertent) Deployment
- Faulty sensors: misinterpreting normal movement or vibration as a collision
- Electrical issues: short circuits or wiring problems triggering the system
- Software glitches: bugs causing deployment when it shouldn't occur
- Mechanical malfunctions: issues with the inflator or deployment mechanism
Injuries From Airbag Failure or Malfunction
Non-deployment in a serious collision removes the protective cushion an airbag is meant to provide, which can allow occupants to strike the steering wheel or dashboard directly, leading to more severe head, facial, and chest injuries than would otherwise occur.
Improper or unintended deployment carries its own risks — the force and speed of deployment can cause whiplash, head injuries, facial injuries (particularly for occupants seated too close to the airbag compartment), abrasions, fractures, or burns. An unexpected deployment can also startle a driver and cause loss of vehicle control, potentially leading to a secondary collision.
Why This Is a Product Liability Claim
An airbag failure claim generally falls under product liability law, and often relies on California's strict liability doctrine — meaning you don't necessarily need to prove the manufacturer was negligent, only that the airbag system was defective and that the defect caused or worsened your injuries. This can apply whether the airbag failed to deploy when it should have, or deployed improperly when it shouldn't have.
This type of claim also connects to the broader concept of "crashworthiness" — even when another driver caused the underlying accident, a defective airbag system that made your injuries worse can be the basis of a separate claim against the manufacturer.
Recalls and Maintenance
Manufacturers issue recalls when they discover issues that could affect airbag safety, and it's important for vehicle owners to address recall notices promptly. If your vehicle was subject to an airbag recall and the defect at issue was involved in your accident, that recall history can be significant evidence in a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a claim if my airbag didn't deploy in a serious accident?
Potentially, yes. If a properly functioning airbag should have deployed given the severity of the collision but didn't, that failure may support a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
What if my airbag deployed in a minor accident and caused injuries on its own?
This may also support a claim. Airbags aren't meant to deploy in low-speed or minor collisions, and unintended deployment can itself cause significant injuries, particularly facial and upper-body injuries.
Do I need to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
Not necessarily. Airbag defect claims often proceed under California's strict liability doctrine, which requires showing the product was defective and caused your injury, rather than proving the manufacturer acted negligently.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
Talk to a Santa Clarita Airbag Failure Attorney Today
Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case. He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.
