Airbags deploy with incredible speed, often inflating in less than a fraction of a second during a collision. This rapid deployment is vital for providing immediate protection to occupants and reducing the risk of serious injuries in case of a car accident. The speed at which airbags deploy is influenced by various factors ranging from the type of impact to the specific design of the airbag system.
How Airbag Systems Work
Airbag deployment involves several key components, including sensors, an inflation system, and the airbag itself. When a collision occurs, sensors located throughout the vehicle detect the sudden deceleration. These sensors send an electronic signal to the airbag control unit if the impact exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Upon receiving this signal, the control unit activates the inflator system. This system typically uses a chemical reaction to generate a rapid burst of gas – typically nitrogen or argon. The gas inflates the airbag, as a result of which the airbag bursts out of its storage compartment and deploys within milliseconds.
The rapid inflation of the airbag system creates a protective layer of cushion between the vehicle occupants and the hard surfaces within the car such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and windows. The cushion absorbs the force of the impact and significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries.
Can Airbags Deploy in a Parked Car?
Yes, in some cases. If the car’s ignition is on, it generally means that the airbag system is active and ready to deploy in a collision. If the car is struck with significant force by another vehicle, the airbags might deploy.
Different Types of Airbag Systems for Drivers and Passengers
Front Airbags
Front airbags – also referred to as frontal airbags – are the most common type of airbags in passenger vehicles. They are designed to protect the driver and front passenger in frontal collisions. Frontal airbags typically deploy from the steering wheel (to protect the driver) and the dashboard (to protect the passenger) to cushion the impact and prevent serious injuries.
Side Airbags
Side airbags are typically installed in the seats or doors and are designed to protect the torso and pelvis during side-impact collisions. These airbags are designed to create a protective barrier between the occupant and the intruding vehicle or object to provide head and torso protection.
Side Curtain Airbags
Side curtain airbags deploy from the roof lining above the side windows and are designed to protect the head and neck during side impact crashes and rollover crashes. They cover the side windows and provide a cushioning effect, preventing the occupants from striking the windows or being ejected from the vehicle.
Knee Airbags
Knee airbags are located beneath the dashboard and are designed to protect the lower extremities. They prevent the knees from hitting the dashboard or steering column and reduce the risk of leg injuries in a crash.
Rear Airbags
Some vehicles are equipped with rear airbags to protect backseat passengers. These airbags deploy from the back of the front seats or the rear door panels and provide additional protection in frontal and side-impact crashes.
How Fast Do Airbags Deploy in the Event of a Collision?
Airbags are designed to deploy almost instantaneously during a collision – typically within 20 to 30 milliseconds. This rapid deployment is crucial in providing immediate protection to vehicle occupants and reducing the likelihood of serious injuries. The speed at which an airbag deploys is the result of sophisticated engineering and precise sensor technology.
When a collision occurs, sensors in the vehicle detect the sudden deceleration and measure the change in velocity and the force of the impact. If the deceleration rate exceeds a certain threshold, typically between 10 to 12 miles per hour for frontal collisions, the airbag system is triggered. This threshold ensures that airbags deploy only during significant impacts – preventing unnecessary airbag deployment during minor bumps or other incidents that are unlikely to result in injuries.
It should be noted that different types of car accidents have different airbag deployment speed thresholds. For example, side airbags tend to deploy at lower speeds than front airbags because side impact collisions can cause severe injuries even at lower velocities.
Speed Difference in Airbag Deployment for Belted and Unbelted Occupants
The primary factor that determines the speed of airbag deployment in the event of a collision is whether the occupants are belted or unbelted.
Belted Occupants
For belted occupants, airbags deploy with a lower force and sometimes at a slightly slower speed compared to unbelted occupants. Seat belts provide significant restraint and reduce the forward momentum of the occupant during a crash. As a result, the airbag system calibrates the deployment to complement the seat belt and provides an additional cushion without exerting excessive force. Typically, the airbag deploy speed threshold for belted occupants is around 12 to 15 miles per hour.
Unbelted Occupants
For unbelted occupants, airbags deploy with greater force and speed. Without the restraining effect of a seat belt, unbelted occupants tend to experience much higher forward momentum during a collision. To compensate for this and provide effective protection, the speed threshold for airbag deployment for unbelted occupants is typically set at a lower limit – often around 8 to 10 miles per hour. This rapid and forceful deployment can arrest the occupants’ forward motion quickly and reduce the risk of severe injuries.
Other Factors That Can Impact Airbag Deployment Speed
Type of Collision
The type of collision – whether front, side, or rear-end – plays a significant role in determining airbag activation speed. For example, in side impact crashes, airbags tend to deploy rapidly in order to protect occupants from intruding vehicles or objects. The speed of deployment in rear-end collisions is not as rapid in most cases, as the risk of serious and fatal injuries is relatively lower.
Vehicle Design and Airbag Sophistication
Vehicle manufacturers tend to design airbag systems to respond differently based on the vehicle’s size, structure, and safety features. Advanced airbag systems have sensors that can detect the impact’s severity and the occupants’ position and adjust deployment speed and force accordingly to ensure optimal protection.
Severity and Angle of Impact
The severity of the impact is also a key factor that can determine the speed of a deploying airbag. Higher impact forces prompt quicker deployment to mitigate potentially life-threatening injuries. Additionally, the angle of impact can affect how airbags deploy. For instance, oblique impacts might require adjustments in deployment to protect occupants effectively from the direction of force.
Vehicle Speed and Pre-Crash Systems
Vehicle speed at the moment of impact and the presence of pre-crash detection systems can also affect airbag activation speed. Pre-crash systems can predict collisions and prepare the airbag system for rapid deployment milliseconds before impact – which can reduce the response time and provide effective protection to occupants.
Dangers of Faulty Airbags
Failure to Deploy
When airbags fail to deploy during a collision, occupants are deprived of the cushioning effect that could mitigate the force of the impact. This can lead to occupants striking hard surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield with greater force – resulting in injuries. The absence of airbag protection can also heighten the risk of occupants being ejected from the vehicle, especially in rollover accidents.
Malfunctioning Airbags
Defective airbags can deploy unexpectedly or with excessive force and cause burns, bruises, or even fractures. The risk of injuries can be compounded when the airbag deploys at an improper angle or fails to inflate fully – leaving occupants without the protection they need.
Injuries Caused by Faulty Airbags
Faulty airbags can cause a range of injuries depending on the nature of the malfunction. These can include facial injuries from improper deployment, burns or abrasions from chemical reactions within the airbag, and blunt force trauma if the airbag fails to inflate correctly.
Strict Liability in Airbag Related Accidents
Injuries stemming from faulty airbags can lead to product liability claims. The parties that can be held potentially liable include:
Manufacturer: The primary target of a faulty airbag claim is the manufacturer. Manufacturers in California have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe to be used for their intended purpose. They can be sued if the airbags were defectively designed (inherently unsafe), defectively manufactured (deviated from design specifications), or lacked adequate warnings about potential risks.
Supplier or Distributor: Parties involved in the distribution chain – such as suppliers or distributors – can also be held liable under certain circumstances. This liability typically arises if they knew or should have known about the defect and failed to take appropriate action.
Retailer: Retailers that sell the vehicles equipped with faulty airbags might face liability if they knew or should have known about the defects, but continued to sell the vehicles without disclosing the risks to consumers.
Product liability claims in California are based on the legal doctrine of strict liability. In a strict liability claim, you are not required to prove that the manufacturer or any other at-fault party was negligent. Instead, you are required to prove the following elements.
- The airbag was defective.
- The defect made the airbag unreasonably dangerous.
- The defect significantly contributed to your injuries.
- You suffered damages as a result of the airbag failure.
Personal Injury Liability in Airbag-Related Accidents
Even in the absence of any defects in your airbag system, you can still sustain injuries during an accident due to the forceful deployment of airbags. Airbags deploy with rapid force, which can cause injuries under certain circumstances.
A properly functioning airbag can cause injuries like abrasions, burns, fractures, and even concussions or other head injuries from the impact. The risk of these injuries is particularly high if you are seated too close to the airbag module at the time of deployment or if the airbag deploys at an improper angle.
Liability of the At-Fault Driver
If you are injured due to airbag deployment in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, the driver can be held liable for the damages. You can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and seek compensation for your injuries, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages. The elements to be proved in the claim are:
- The driver who caused the accident owed you a duty of care.
- The driver breached their duty of care by driving negligently or recklessly.
- The driver’s breach of duty led to the collision in which your airbags were deployed.
- You suffered injuries as a result of the airbag deployment.
Why You Need an Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle Your Airbag Accident Claim
Taking legal action against product manufacturers in airbag accident claims can be a challenge for several reasons. Airbag manufacturers have substantial resources and powerful legal teams dedicated to defending against such claims.
In order to dispute or deny liability, they might argue that the airbag deployment was within normal parameters or that the deployment was caused by factors beyond their control. This is why it is important to have a qualified personal injury lawyer on your side. There are several reasons why legal representation can be invaluable in an airbag injury claim. These include:
Expertise in Product Liability Laws
An experienced California personal injury lawyer can expertly navigate through the complexities of the claim – owing to their deep understanding of the laws and regulations governing defective products and their experience in handling car accident cases similar to yours.
Resources for Investigation and Evidence Collection
Successfully proving a product liability claim against a manufacturer requires extensive investigation and evidence collection. A seasoned personal injury attorney has access to resources like private investigators, accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, and medical experts who can provide critical insights into how the airbag deployment contributed to your injuries.
Holding the At-Fault Driver Accountable
If your vehicle’s airbags deployed due to an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, your attorney can pursue a personal injury claim against the driver and seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Negotiation and Litigation Skills
Handling an airbag accident claim involves negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, litigating in court. A skilled attorney can negotiate a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your injuries and other losses. If litigation becomes necessary, they can vigorously represent your interests in court.
Injured due to Airbag Deployment? Our Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyers Can Maximize Your Compensation
Airbag deployment accident claims can be challenging and you need a capable personal injury attorney on your side to recover the compensation you deserve. At The Law Offices of Rosenstock and Azran, we have highly skilled personal injury attorneys who can represent you, protect your rights, and aggressively advocate for a fair settlement.
With more than 80 years of combined legal experience, expertise in handling airbag injury claims, and a track record of recovering large settlements and jury awards, we are equipped to handle your claim, no matter how complex it might be. We can provide you with the legal advice, guidance, and compassionate support you need to navigate this challenging time and help you get the justice you deserve.
Call us today at 818-805-0422 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly-rated California personal injury attorneys.