If you were recently in a crash where the airbag went off, you might be feeling unexpected pain and uncertainty. Airbags are meant to protect you, but the speed at which they inflate can hit your chest hard, sometimes resulting in minor bruises, broken ribs, a fractured sternum, or even severe internal damage. Since adrenaline may mask pain after a collision, some problems may not show up immediately.
Airbag injuries to your chest may raise complicated questions about how the crash happened, whether the airbag or the vehicle may have been defective, and who is responsible for the resulting harm.
You shouldn’t have to figure all this out by relying solely on the insurance company’s opinion. Henderson Law in Santa Rosa can help answer your questions and guide you through pursuing compensation after a car accident injury. Michael Henderson will review the circumstances of your accident and explain your legal options.
What Are Common Airbag Injuries?
Airbags are meant to protect you from deadly accident injuries, but the strong force when they inflate can push your chest back hard and cause problems such as:
- Injuries to soft tissue—bruises, muscle strains, burns, seat belt scrapes;
- Broken bones—cracked ribs, a fractured breastbone or sternum;
- Injuries to internal organs—bruising of the heart, lung problems like air leaking around the lungs, and internal bleeding.
It is important to monitor your symptoms after a crash because some problems may not be immediately apparent.
When Should I Seek Emergency Medical Treatment for Airbag Chest Injuries?
Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you notice any of these warning signs:
- Trouble breathing or feeling like you cannot get enough air;
- Dizziness, fainting, or extreme tiredness;
- Pale or sweaty skin or blue lips and fingertips;
- Sharp pain that gets worse when you breathe in, cough, or move;
- Severe pain, tightness, or pressure in the middle of your chest;
- Major swelling, or fast-spreading bruises; or
- An uneven or misshapen chest.
Problems like internal bleeding or small fractures may not be visible on the outside. This often means getting an X-ray or CT scan to make sure nothing is missed.
How Do Airbag Chest Injuries Typically Heal?
If you have mild injuries like bruises or sore muscles, they may improve with time, rest, and avoiding activities that worsen your pain. More serious injuries, like broken ribs or injuries to the heart and lungs, may require close monitoring and a treatment plan from your health care provider.
Trying to ignore the pain, missing follow-up visits, or going back to heavy lifting too soon can worsen symptoms or delay recovery.
When Should I Speak with an Attorney About My Accident?
It’s a good idea to talk to a personal injury attorney about your chest injuries from airbags as soon as you can after your car accident. Airbags can cause serious harm, and dealing with the aftermath can be complicated. An attorney can help you handle the insurance and legal issues while you focus on your medical care.
An attorney can help document your current and anticipated medical costs and include them in your claim. In addition, you may be able to get help with:
- Dealing with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters often try to pay as little as possible and may push you to accept a small settlement before you know how badly you’re hurt. An attorney can speak with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for a fair deal.
- Investigating liability. The other driver may not be the only responsible party. If the airbag was defective, deployed improperly, went off too late, or was recalled by the manufacturer, an attorney can look into whether the carmaker or parts supplier could also be held liable.
After reporting your accident, hold on to all records, bills, and photos from the accident, since these will be important for your case.
Get Legal Help from a Firm That Handles Serious Injury Cases
Michael Henderson has more than 30 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. He stands up for injured people and their families against big insurance companies and car makers, providing strong courtroom representation for clients in Santa Rosa and the surrounding communities throughout Sonoma County.
Contact our Santa Rosa office to talk about your case and see how Michael’s experience can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Should I Sit from the Steering Wheel to Avoid Chest Injuries from Airbags?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says you should sit at least 10 inches away. This gives the airbag enough room to inflate before touching your chest.
How Fast Does an Airbag Deploy?
According to NHTSA, an airbag can inflate in less than 1/20th of a second, reaching speeds between 100 and 200 miles per hour. This strong force can cause chest abrasions and fractures.
What Is the White Dust Left in the Car After the Airbag Goes Off, and Is It Harmful?
The dust is usually cornstarch or talcum powder, which helps the airbag deploy smoothly. It may also contain small amounts of chemical byproducts from the inflation process. Breathing it in is mostly safe, but it can briefly irritate your airways or cause mild asthma symptoms.
Does Wearing a Seat Belt Make Airbag Chest Injuries More or Less Likely?
Wearing a seat belt can lower the risk of serious airbag injuries. The belt might cause bruising or even a fracture, but it keeps you in the right position so the airbag can protect your head and chest rather than hitting you as you move forward.
Are Older Adults More Likely to Get Chest Fractures from Airbags?
As people age, their bones may become weaker, and conditions like osteoporosis can make them more vulnerable to airbag injuries to the chest. Older adults may have a higher risk of rib and chest bone fractures from airbag force.
Can an Airbag Deployment Damage a Pacemaker or Other Chest Device?
Modern pacemakers and defibrillators are very tough, but the strong force of an airbag can sometimes damage the device, move its wires, or bruise the surrounding area. If the airbag strikes the area around an implanted device, you should seek prompt medical attention.
Why Is It Risky for Children to Sit in Front of an Airbag?
Children are still growing and are shorter than adults. Because of their height, their head, neck, and upper chest are right in the path of the airbag’s strongest force, which can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
Will My Front Airbags Go Off and Hit My Chest If I Get Rear-Ended?
Generally, front airbags are triggered by sensors that detect sudden forward stops. In a rear-end crash, your body is pushed back into your seat, so the front airbags normally do not deploy. However, deployment depends on the crash forces and the vehicle’s design.