When driving in Atlanta GA, the last thing you imagine is that you could suffer an injury in a crash from one of the very safety features meant to protect you: your airbag. Unfortunately, malfunctioning airbags are not as rare as you may think. In 2023 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanded the recall of 67 million airbag inflators because of serious defects.
If you have suffered losses in an accident because an airbag didn’t deploy correctly, hiring an Atlanta airbag injury lawyer can help you receive compensation. At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring 50 years of experience to every case we take on – and we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
We’re confident that we can help you with your case as well. Contact us today at (770) 900-9000 to schedule a free consultation.
How Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Airbag Injury in Atlanta, Georgia
Being in a car accident is stressful enough on its own, but suffering injuries because of a defective airbag can be even more overwhelming. You could experience all manner of serious injuries if an airbag doesn’t deploy correctly, including nose fractures, eye damage, and even brain injuries. If this is the case, you may be entitled to file a claim against the liable parties.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you by offering a number of services, including:
- Evaluating the claim during a free consultation
- Assessing the collision and how the airbag malfunctioned
- Gathering evidence to prove liability, no matter how many parties are involved
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court if a settlement isn’t possible
We understand how difficult the aftermath of a car accident can be, and we’re here to help you maximize the value of your claim. Call our airbag injury lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia, today for a free case review.
Understanding How Airbag Injuries Occur
At the moment of a crash, a sensor triggers the airbag system, which sends a message to the inflator. A chemical process then starts that releases gas and inflates the airbag in less than 1/20th of a second. When an airbag works as required, it prevents drivers from hitting their torsos and heads against the steering wheel or dashboard.
If the airbag is in any way defective, this process can fail, leading to late deployment or no action at all. Other times, airbags deploy with too much force, putting people at risk of suffering broken ribs and severe facial injuries.
In some instances, it can be possible to suffer burns, too. The chemical reaction that prompts the bag’s inflation could malfunction, or the materials that make up the airbag could be faulty. All of these factors might allow chemicals to reach your skin.
Liability After an Atlanta Airbag Injury
After a collision in which you suffer an airbag injury, you may be so focused on holding the other driver responsible that you don’t realize it’s possible to hold the airbag’s manufacturer liable, too. It’s important to identify all liable parties to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Since Georgia follows a fault-based system for traffic accidents, you can seek damages by demonstrating that the other driver was negligent. When pursuing a claim against the airbag’s manufacturer, however, the process can be a bit different. Instead, you’ll be filing a product liability claim, which means proving that there was a defect in the product the manufacturer sold.
Manufacturers have a responsibility toward consumers to create products that are safe when used correctly. If they fail to do so and injuries occur, they can be held liable for resulting injuries. In these instances, you don’t have to demonstrate that the defect was the result of negligence, but you do have to show that the malfunction existed.
Keep in mind that sometimes, it’s not the airbag itself that has the defect but the crash sensor in the vehicle. If the sensor doesn’t send a signal to the airbag’s system, it won’t deploy. When that’s the case, you may be entitled to file a claim against the car’s manufacturer.
Contact Our Atlanta Airbag Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Filing a personal injury claim on your own can mean leaving valuable compensation on the table, especially if you attempt a claim against a big manufacturer. To give yourself the best chance to recover the money you need to move forward, it’s vital to hire a qualified Atlanta airbag injury attorney who knows how these cases work.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our award-winning legal team can gather the necessary evidence to prove liability and fight for your rights at every step of the process. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover your legal options today.