Airbags are intended to reduce the risk of serious injury during a collision, but they do not always perform as designed. An airbag that fails to deploy, deploys unexpectedly, or deploys with excessive force can leave vehicle occupants with injuries that may have been preventable.
If you believe an airbag malfunction in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to your injuries, Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you investigate what happened and determine whether a vehicle defect, manufacturing problem, or other act of negligence played a role. Contact our Jacksonville airbag injury lawyers today at (904) 356-6071 for a free consultation.
How Can Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help After an Airbag Injury in Jacksonville, FL?
Airbag cases often involve evidence that does not exist in a typical car accident claim. Electronic crash data, component inspections, recall information, and engineering analysis may all become important in determining whether the safety system performed as intended.
Our car accident lawyers in Jacksonville can help by:
- Preserving the vehicle for inspection before critical evidence is lost
- Reviewing crash reports and electronic vehicle data
- Investigating recalls involving airbags or related components
- Working with automotive engineering and accident reconstruction experts
- Identifying manufacturers, suppliers, and other responsible parties
- Negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing litigation when necessary
Because much of the evidence is controlled by manufacturers or can disappear after repairs are made, beginning the investigation early often places injured people in a stronger position to pursue a successful claim. Contact our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today for a free case review.
What Causes Airbag Injuries?
Airbag injuries can result from both product defects and failures within the vehicle’s safety systems. Checking the NHTSA recall database can reveal whether a vehicle or component was subject to a known defect.
Common causes include:
- Failure to deploy during a qualifying collision
- Unexpected airbag deployment
- Defective inflators
- Faulty crash sensors
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Improper vehicle repairs affecting airbag operation
Airbags are part of a larger safety network that relies on sensors, software, and mechanical components working together. A failure in any one of those systems may prevent the airbag from functioning properly.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Airbag Cases?
The injuries associated with an airbag malfunction often depend on whether the airbag failed to deploy or deployed improperly during the collision.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial fractures
- Eye injuries
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Burns, lacerations, and hand injuries
Some injuries result from the force of a defective deployment, while others occur because occupants were left without the protection the airbag was designed to provide. Understanding that distinction can be important when evaluating liability and damages.
Who Could Be Liable for an Airbag Injury?
An airbag injury claim may involve parties beyond the driver who caused the collision.
Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may include:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Airbag manufacturers
- Parts suppliers
- Automotive dealerships
- Repair facilities
- Other negligent drivers involved in the accident
Product liability cases often require identifying where the failure occurred, whether during manufacturing, installation, maintenance, or repair. Our Jacksonville product liability attorneys investigate each possibility to determine who should be held accountable.
Common Challenges in Airbag Injury Cases
Airbag claims often involve technical issues that require specialized investigation. Manufacturers may argue the system operated correctly, while insurers may contend that the injuries resulted solely from the collision rather than a product defect.
Resolving those disputes frequently requires engineering analysis, crash data interpretation, and careful examination of the vehicle itself. Without that evidence, it can be difficult to determine exactly why the safety system failed.
Our attorneys coordinate these investigations and work with qualified experts to develop evidence that supports your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File an Airbag Injury Lawsuit?
Florida law allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long may affect your ability to recover compensation and can also make it more difficult to preserve important evidence.
In airbag injury cases, the vehicle itself is often one of the most important pieces of evidence. Repairs, salvage, or disposal can significantly affect the investigation if they occur before the vehicle has been properly examined.
Contact a Jacksonville Airbag Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured because an airbag failed to deploy, deployed unexpectedly, or malfunctioned during a crash, you may have the right to pursue compensation. These cases often require a careful investigation to determine whether a defective airbag or another vehicle defect contributed to your injuries.
At Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent injured clients throughout Jacksonville, Florida, in complex product liability and vehicle defect cases. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Jacksonville airbag injury attorney.