Airbags can cause six main types of injuries during a crash: hearing damage from the deployment blast, eye injuries, facial fractures, friction or chemical burns, neck or spinal injuries, and chest or internal trauma. Although airbags are designed to save lives, the speed and force of deployment can cause serious injuries, particularly when an occupant is sitting too close to the airbag. Defective airbag inflators can pose an additional danger by rupturing and sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger compartment.
At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, Gloucester County car accident lawyers Ken Gibson and John Singleton help injured drivers and passengers understand their rights after serious crashes. Our team investigates how the accident and airbag deployment caused the injuries and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.
This guide explains the six types of airbag injuries, how defective airbags can cause penetrating wounds, the steps Virginia drivers should take after a crash, and the compensation that may be available.
If you were injured in a crash in Gloucester County, contact GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys to discuss your case with Ken Gibson or John Singleton. Call (804) 413-6777 today to schedule a free case evaluation.
1. Airbag Deployment Can Cause Hearing and Eye Injuries
The sudden pressure wave created during airbag deployment can expose the ears to sound levels exceeding 160 dB. This intense noise can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear, leading to ringing, muffled hearing, ear pain, or temporary or permanent hearing loss.
The eyes face a different risk because they can be struck directly as the bag expands. Contact can scratch the cornea, damage the retina, cause bleeding inside the eye, or fracture the surrounding bones. Some sodium-azide-based inflator systems also release alkaline byproducts that can irritate or chemically burn the eyes.
2. Airbags Can Cause Facial Fractures and Broken Bones
Sitting too close to an airbag can leave little space for the bag to fully inflate before it reaches the face. The resulting impact can fracture the thin bones around the eyes or injure the nose, jaw, and teeth. Facial fractures can cause swelling, severe pain, difficulty opening the mouth, and vision problems.
X-rays or CT scans can reveal fractures that are difficult to identify from the outside. Severe injuries can require surgery to repair damaged bones or restore normal function.
3. Airbags Can Cause Friction, Thermal, and Chemical Burns
Several parts of the deployment process can burn or injure the skin. The fabric can scrape exposed areas of the face, arms, and hands, causing friction burns and abrasions, while heat from deployment can cause thermal burns.
Chemical burns occur through a different mechanism. Some inflator systems release alkaline residues and other chemical byproducts that can come into contact with the skin or eyes. Exposure can cause redness, pain, swelling, blistering, and tissue damage, especially when the residue remains on the affected area.
4. Airbags Can Cause Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord Injuries
The combination of airbag impact and sudden crash forces can put significant stress on the neck and upper back. Rapid movement of the head and neck can strain muscles and ligaments and cause whiplash, while more severe trauma can damage the cervical vertebrae, discs, nerves, or spinal cord.
Symptoms can include neck or back pain, stiffness, headaches, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Some symptoms develop hours or even days after the collision rather than appearing at the scene.
5. Airbags Can Cause Chest and Internal Injuries
A direct blow from a deploying airbag can bruise the chest or fracture the ribs or sternum. Broken ribs can damage a lung, while severe blunt trauma can injure the heart and other structures inside the chest.
The forces involved in a crash can also damage abdominal organs such as the liver and spleen or cause internal bleeding. Warning signs include chest or abdominal pain, swelling, dizziness, weakness, and difficulty breathing. Internal injuries can exist without an obvious external wound.
6. Defective Airbags Can Cause Shrapnel and Puncture Wounds
A defective inflator creates a different danger from the force of normal airbag deployment. If the inflator ruptures, pieces of its metal housing can break apart and enter the passenger compartment as high-speed fragments. These fragments can cause deep cuts, puncture wounds, and penetrating injuries to internal organs.
Metal fragments or unexplained puncture wounds after deployment can indicate an inflator defect. Unexpected deployment or failure to deploy can also point to a problem with the airbag system. When a defect is suspected, preserving the vehicle and airbag components allows the system to be inspected before important evidence is lost.
Car Accident Attorneys in Virginia – GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys
Ken Gibson, Esq.
Ken Gibson has represented injured clients in Gloucester since 2009, drawing on years of experience as a state and federal prosecutor. He previously served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Norfolk and as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he earned a Certificate of Commendation from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III for his work prosecuting violent criminals.
A former U.S. Marine, Ken graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is also an active member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.
John Singleton, Esq.
John Singleton uses his experience on the insurance defense side to represent people injured in car accidents and other personal injury cases. Before practicing in Gloucester, he worked for a large insurance defense firm, where he developed his trial skills and gained firsthand knowledge of how insurers handle and defend claims.
John graduated from Colby College and Mercer University Law School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in China and Beirut, Lebanon. He also serves part-time as a Special Justice for adult mental health commitment matters in Virginia’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
What Should You Do After an Airbag Injures You in Virginia?
After a crash involving an airbag injury, first make sure you comply with Virginia’s accident-reporting requirements. Under Va. Code § 46.2-894, a driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or damage to attended property must stop as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic, provide the required identifying and vehicle information, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured.
Once the immediate safety and reporting requirements are addressed, take these steps to protect your health and preserve evidence:
- Get medical care promptly: Airbag burns, whiplash, eye injuries, and internal trauma are not always obvious immediately after a crash.
- Photograph the scene and your injuries: Take pictures of the deployed airbag, vehicle interior, visible injuries, and vehicle damage.
- Preserve the vehicle if you suspect an airbag defect: Avoid disposing of or repairing the airbag system before it can be inspected.
- Keep records related to the crash: Save medical records, bills, repair estimates, photographs, and other documents connected to your injuries and losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Virginia Injury Claim?
Virginia law limits how long you have to take legal action after a car accident. Under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A), most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. In a car accident case, that period typically starts on the date the injury occurs.
The two-year deadline applies to filing a lawsuit in court, not simply reporting the accident or submitting an insurance claim. Negotiating with an insurance company does not replace the need to file a lawsuit before the applicable deadline if the case has not been resolved.
Certain circumstances can affect how the filing deadline is calculated. Because missing the applicable statute of limitations can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts, it is important to identify the deadline early and leave enough time to investigate the crash, document your injuries, and prepare the case.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Virginia Airbag Case?
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash and your injuries, compensation can address both the financial losses and the personal effects of the injury. The amount depends on the injuries, treatment, time missed from work, and other losses connected to the accident.
Compensation can include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and other necessary medical care related to your injuries.
- Lost income: Wages or other income lost while your injuries prevent you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity: Loss of future income when an injury limits your ability to work or earn at the same level as before the crash.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, disability, and other effects on your daily life.
- Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the crash.
| Type of compensation | What it may cover |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation |
| Lost income | Wages or other income lost while you cannot work |
| Reduced earning capacity | Future income lost because the injury limits your ability to work |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, disability, and effects on daily life |
| Property damage | Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged property |
The value of an airbag injury claim depends on evidence showing the extent of these losses and how they resulted from the crash. Medical records, wage information, photographs, repair estimates, and other documentation can help establish the damages being claimed.
Contact a Gloucester Car Accident Attorney After an Airbag Injury
A serious airbag injury can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and ongoing treatment after a crash. At the same time, you could be dealing with an insurance company while trying to recover from your injuries. A car accident attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and handle the insurance claim on your behalf.
Attorneys Ken Gibson and John Singleton have spent years representing injured people throughout Gloucester County and the Middle Peninsula. Our team investigates how the crash occurred, gathers evidence connecting the injuries to the accident, handles communications with insurance companies, and pursues compensation from the responsible parties.
To schedule a free case evaluation, call (804) 413-6777. Our office is located at 4073 S George Washington Mem Hwy, Hayes, VA 23072, near the York River and Gloucester Point, and we serve injured clients across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue if my airbag caused my injuries in a crash?
Yes. When a negligent driver causes a crash, that driver can be held responsible for your injuries, including those caused by the airbag. If a defective airbag caused the harm, you may also have a separate product liability claim against the manufacturer.
How soon should I see a doctor after an airbag injury?
As soon as possible. Burns, whiplash, internal injuries, and eye damage can worsen or appear hours after the crash, and prompt records also link your injuries directly to the accident, which strengthens a claim.
Can airbag deployment chemicals cause irritation or burns?
Yes. Some airbag inflator systems have used sodium azide, and deployment can release particles or alkaline byproducts that may irritate or burn the eyes, skin, or airways. The exact emissions depend on the inflator design
How do I know if my airbag was defective?
Signs that may warrant a defect investigation include metal fragments, puncture wounds, unexpected deployment, or failure to deploy when deployment would normally be expected. These signs do not by themselves prove a defect, so preserve the vehicle and have the airbag system examined before repairs or disposal.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia?
Under Va. Code § 8.01-243, you typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can bar your claim, so consult an attorney early.
Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault?
Virginia follows contributory negligence. Recovery can be barred if your own negligence was a proximate cause of the accident.
What am I required to do at the scene of an accident in Virginia?
Va. Code § 46.2-894 requires drivers involved in a crash that injures someone to stop, share their identifying and vehicle information, and render reasonable assistance to injured people. Failing to do so can be charged as a serious criminal offense.
