Howard Coker | November 10, 2025 | Car Accidents
Airbags are designed to protect drivers and passengers during serious collisions, but many drivers in Jacksonville may be unsure of how serious a collision has to be for airbags to deploy. The truth is that airbag systems activate only under specific conditions.
Understanding how airbags work, when they should deploy, and what to do if they don’t can help you protect your rights after a car accident.
How Airbags Work
Airbags rely on sensors located throughout the vehicle that measure sudden changes in speed, force, and direction. When these sensors detect a significant impact, they send a signal to the airbag control unit, which deploys the airbags in a fraction of a second.
The goal is to cushion occupants and reduce the risk of serious injury by preventing contact with hard surfaces like the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. However, not every accident generates enough force to trigger the sensors.
When Airbags Should Deploy
The general rule is that airbags deploy during moderate to severe crashes, typically involving speeds of 16 to 28 mph or higher, where the front or side of the vehicle experiences a sudden deceleration.
Common situations that may cause airbag deployment include:
- Head-on collisions: When the front of the vehicle absorbs a strong impact.
- T-bone or side-impact crashes: If side airbags are equipped, and sensors detect lateral force.
- Severe rear-end collisions: In some vehicles, side curtain airbags may deploy if the impact is strong enough.
- Single-vehicle crashes: Striking a tree, wall, or stationary object at significant speed.
If a collision happens at low speed, involves a glancing blow, or impacts areas without sensors, the airbags may not deploy.
Factors That Affect Airbag Deployment
Several factors determine whether airbags activate during a crash:
- Type of collision: Airbags are designed for specific angles of impact. A side swipe or bumper-to-bumper tap may not trigger them.
- Vehicle design: Modern cars have advanced systems that decide which airbags to deploy based on the direction and severity of impact.
- Crash speed and deceleration rate: Airbags respond to rapid changes in speed, not just how fast the vehicle was traveling.
- Occupant detection: Many cars use sensors to detect seat occupancy and deploy airbags only where needed.
In short, airbags are not meant to go off in every collision. They deploy only when necessary to prevent injury.
Why Airbags Might Not Deploy
If your airbags didn’t deploy during a serious crash, it could be due to mechanical or electronic issues. Common reasons include:
- Sensor malfunction or damage from a prior accident.
- Deactivated airbag system, often due to recalls or manual disconnection.
- Electrical failure which prevented the signal from reaching the airbag unit.
- Incorrect crash angle, which didn’t trigger the sensors.
In some cases, airbags fail to deploy because of defective design or manufacturing errors, which can lead to product liability claims.
Can You Sue if Airbags Didn’t Deploy?
Yes, under certain circumstances. If your airbags should have deployed but didn’t, and you were injured as a result, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. To pursue a claim, you generally need to show that:
- The airbag or its components were defective.
- The defect directly caused or worsened your injuries.
- You were using the vehicle as intended when the failure occurred.
Manufacturers and component suppliers can be held responsible for defective airbags. In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer or airbag maker may issue recalls for malfunctioning systems, and failure to correct those issues can strengthen a legal claim.
What To Do if Your Airbags Didn’t Deploy
If your airbags failed to deploy in a Jacksonville crash, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately to document injuries.
- Report the crash to law enforcement and ensure it’s properly recorded.
- Preserve the vehicle in its post-crash condition; do not allow repairs before inspection.
- Document everything, including photos of the damage, injuries, and airbag components.
- Consult an attorney to review whether you have a potential case against the manufacturer or other parties.
Evidence from the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR), similar to an airplane’s black box, can be crucial in determining whether the system malfunctioned.
How Serious Does a Collision Have To Be for Airbags To Deploy in Jacksonville, FL?
Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes where the force and direction of impact indicate a serious risk of injury. Minor collisions, parking lot accidents, or side glances usually don’t trigger deployment.
If your airbags didn’t deploy in a crash that caused injuries, it’s important to investigate whether a defect or malfunction was involved. You may have the right to pursue compensation for your losses under Florida law.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville personal injury law firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County and its surrounding areas.
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers
136 E Bay St #5438
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 356-6071
Find us with our Geo Coordinates: 30.32569719086265, -81.65515220132858
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Attorney Howard Coker is the founder of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, he has dedicated his career to representing individuals in serious personal injury cases. With more than four decades of courtroom experience and over 350 jury trials, Howard is recognized as one of Florida’s top trial attorneys. His commitment to justice ensure every client receives the strong, personalized representation they deserve. Check our recent case results.
Location: Jacksonville, FL