After a car accident, the state of your airbags can be confusing. Whether they deployed violently or didn’t deploy at all, you are likely questioning what it means for the severity of the crash and, more importantly, for your well-being. This single detail can raise serious questions about your potential personal injury claim here in Las Vegas.
The reality is that airbag deployment is based on complex technology, and it doesn’t always tell the whole story of the impact or your injuries. An insurance company may try to use airbag performance—or the lack of it—to downplay your claim. Understanding the facts is the first step in protecting your rights.
With 40 years of experience, Jack Bernstein has seen how these details are used and knows how to demonstrate the true impact of a collision. We are here to guide you through the complexities of your accident claim, ensuring your injuries are taken seriously. As our clients know, Jack’s got your back!
How Airbags Work: The Science of Deployment
Many drivers believe that airbags deploy based simply on the speed of the vehicle at the moment of a crash. The truth is more complex. A car’s airbag system is a sophisticated, high-speed network of sensors and a computer. It is not designed to measure travel speed, but rather a very specific, violent change in momentum known as deceleration.
The type of crash and the severity of the impact force are the critical factors that determine whether an airbag deploys. Understanding this technology is the first step in understanding what happened in your accident.
The “Brain” of the System: Crash Sensors and Computers
Think of your car’s safety system as having a brain—the Airbag Control Unit (ACU). This computer receives information from crash sensors strategically placed around your vehicle.
These are not simple impact sensors; they are typically accelerometers, which are devices that measure a rapid change in speed. They are constantly monitoring the forces acting on the car.
- When a collision occurs, the sensors detect the sudden, violent deceleration.
- This data is instantly sent to the ACU.
- In a fraction of a second, the ACU processes the information—the direction of the force, the severity, and the quickness of the stop.
- If the force crosses a pre-programmed threshold that indicates a severe crash, the ACU sends the signal to deploy the airbags.
This system is designed to distinguish between a serious collision and other jarring events, like hitting a deep pothole or a minor parking lot bump, where deploying an airbag would be unnecessary and could even cause harm.
It’s Not Just Speed, It’s the Type of Impact
The most important factor for frontal airbag deployment is a direct, frontal or near-frontal impact.
As a general guideline from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the deployment threshold for frontal airbags is often compared to the force of crashing into a solid, non-moving barrier, which some experts compare to a speed of 8-14 mph.
However, many serious accidents do not involve this specific type of impact. This is why airbags frequently do not deploy in other common, yet dangerous, types of collisions.
| Crash Type | Frontal Airbag Deployment? | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal or Near-Frontal Collision | Likely to Deploy | This is the exact scenario the primary airbags are built for, detecting a sudden and severe stop. |
| Rear-End Collision | Typically No | The force of a rear-end impact throws occupants backward into their seats. Deploying a frontal airbag would not protect you and could cause unnecessary injury. |
| Side-Impact (T-Bone) | Typically No | The impact force is from the side. Side-impact and curtain airbags (if your car has them) are designed for this type of crash, not the frontal airbags. |
| Rollover Accident | Typically No | The forces in a rollover are complex and prolonged, not the sudden frontal deceleration that triggers main airbags. Again, curtain airbags are designed to help here. |
Scenario 1: My Airbags Didn’t Deploy. Can I Still Be Seriously Injured?
The answer is absolutely, yes.
It is one of the most common and dangerous assumptions after a car accident: if the airbags didn’t deploy, the crash wasn’t “that bad.” This is false. Many serious, life-altering injuries occur in collisions that fall just below the specific threshold for airbag deployment. Your pain is real, and the absence of a deployed airbag does not invalidate your injury or your claim.
Why Non-Deployment Doesn’t Mean “Minor Accident”
Your body is far more fragile than the steel frame of a a vehicle. A sudden jolt that is not severe enough to trigger the car’s sensors can still be more than enough to damage the delicate structures of your neck and spine.
The forces in a collision can whip your head and body, causing significant harm long before the car’s computer deems the impact “severe.”
The lack of airbag deployment is not proof of a lack of injury.
Many of these injuries have delayed symptoms, and you may not even realize the extent of the damage for hours or days after the crash. Common injuries in these situations include:
- Whiplash: A violent back-and-forth motion of the neck causing damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and deep muscle bruises that can cause chronic pain.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: Damage to the spinal discs that can lead to severe pain, numbness, and weakness in the limbs.
How an Insurance Company May Use This Against You
Be prepared for an insurance adjuster to use the lack of airbag deployment against you. It is a standard tactic used to downplay or deny legitimate claims.
The argument is simple and predictable:
“The collision was minor. If it were serious, the airbags would have deployed. Therefore, your injuries cannot possibly be as severe as you claim.”
This logic ignores medicine and physics, but it is often effective at making injury victims doubt themselves and accept a low settlement offer. An experienced lawyer anticipates this tactic. We fight back by focusing on what truly matters: your medical records, doctor’s testimony, and the real-world evidence of your injuries—not just the data from a car’s computer.
When It Could Signal a Defective Airbag System
While most non-deployments are by design, there are times when they indicate a catastrophic failure. If the circumstances of your crash should have triggered the airbags but didn’t, you may have been the victim of a defective product.
For example, if your vehicle suffered a significant, direct frontal impact and the airbags failed to deploy, it points to a potential malfunction in the sensors or the airbag module itself. This could mean you have a product liability claim against the vehicle or parts manufacturer, which is a separate and more complex case than a standard car accident claim.
Scenario 2: My Airbags Deployed. What Does This Prove?
If your airbags deployed, it is a powerful and undeniable sign that your vehicle experienced a sudden, violent, and significant impact. It removes the guesswork about the force of the collision and serves as a key piece of evidence in your Las Vegas personal injury claim.
Using Airbag Deployment as Evidence of a Severe Impact
Airbag deployment is a clear, objective indicator of a severe crash. A lawyer can use this fact to immediately shut down any attempt by the other driver or their insurance company to argue the crash was just a “fender bender.”
It substantiates your claim that the forces involved were intense and capable of causing serious injury. This simple fact can strengthen your negotiating position and help establish the seriousness of the event from the very beginning.
Common Injuries Caused by Airbags Themselves
While airbags are crucial, life-saving devices, the process of deployment is incredibly forceful. The bag inflates at up to 200 mph, and this protective violence can cause significant injuries of its own.
Common airbag-induced injuries include:
- Abrasions and chemical burns on the face, arms, and chest
- Bruising or even fractures of the sternum, ribs, or face
- Serious eye injuries
- Broken wrists, hands, or fingers
- Temporary or permanent hearing loss from the explosive noise
It is essential to understand that these are not just unfortunate side effects; they are compensable injuries. They are a direct result of the collision caused by another’s negligence, and you have the right to seek compensation for the harm they caused as part of your overall injury claim.
Defective Airbags and Your Nevada Personal Injury Claim
Sometimes, the issue isn’t just about whether an airbag deployed, but how it deployed—or why it failed. When evidence suggests a faulty airbag caused or worsened your injuries, your case may expand beyond the negligent driver. It can become a direct action against a major corporation.
These cases are fundamentally different and more complex than a typical car accident claim. They require a deep understanding of product liability law and the resources to challenge a large vehicle or parts manufacturer.
Pursuing a Product Liability Claim in Nevada
When a product fails to perform safely and causes harm, victims have a right to seek compensation from the companies that designed, made, or sold that product.
Product Liability: This is a type of legal claim that holds a manufacturer, distributor, or seller responsible for placing a defective product in the hands of a consumer.
Under Nevada law, a product can be deemed defective in several ways:
- Design Defect: The airbag’s very design was unsafe, regardless of how well it was made.
- Manufacturing Defect: The specific airbag in your car was built improperly or with faulty materials, making it different from others of the same design.
- Failure to Warn: The manufacturer knew about a danger but failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions to consumers.
Proving a product liability case is a significant undertaking. It is not a claim you should ever try to handle alone. It requires a law firm with the experience to hire engineering experts, analyze complex technical evidence, and fight back against the formidable legal teams that corporations use to defend these claims.
The Takata Recall and Ongoing Defect Issues
The most notorious example of airbag defects is the massive Takata airbag recall [Link to Auto Recalls Page], the largest in automotive history. The airbag inflators in millions of cars from numerous manufacturers were found to have a defect that could cause them to rupture, spraying metal shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin during a crash.
This real-world catastrophe highlights that airbag defects are not just a theoretical problem—they can be, and have been, catastrophic. While the Takata case is well-known, other design and manufacturing flaws continue to surface in the auto industry. Knowing whether a defect contributed to your injuries requires a thorough investigation, something an experienced personal injury firm is equipped to handle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbag Deployment
- Can an airbag deploy without a crash?
It’s extremely rare, but yes. Hitting a large pothole or curb with extreme force, or a significant system malfunction, can sometimes cause accidental deployment.
- Do I have to replace my airbags after an accident?
Yes. Once an airbag deploys, it must be replaced by a certified technician. The system will not work again until it is repaired.
- Will my side airbags deploy in a frontal crash?
Generally, no. Side-impact airbags are triggered by sensors that detect force from the side, not the front. Your car’s system is designed to use the right tool for the right job.
Conclusion: What to Do When Airbag Performance is a Factor in Your Accident
The seconds during and after a car crash are a blur, and trying to make sense of your vehicle’s safety systems can add another layer of stress to an already difficult situation. The most important thing to remember is that airbag performance does not tell the whole story.
What to Do Immediately After the Accident
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Even if you feel fine, some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. A medical record is also crucial evidence for your claim.
- Preserve Your Vehicle: Do not have your car repaired or scrapped immediately, especially if you suspect an airbag defect. It is the most important piece of evidence.
- Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance adjuster. It is a tool they can use against you.
Key Takeaways
- Deployment is Complex: Airbags are designed to deploy only in specific circumstances, primarily severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
- “No Deployment” Is Not “No Injury”: You can suffer serious, life-altering injuries in a crash where the airbags do not deploy. Do not let an insurance company convince you otherwise.
- Deployment is Proof of Force: If airbags did deploy, it is strong evidence of a violent impact. The injuries caused by the airbag itself are also compensable as part of your claim.
- Failure May Mean a Defect: If an airbag failed to deploy when it should have, you may have a separate, complex product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Lawyer
You do not have to navigate these complex issues on your own. After an accident, you need clear, direct answers from a legal advocate you can trust.
At Jack Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we offer personalized attention that larger firms often can’t match. We encourage you to contact our firm for a free, direct consultation to discuss the specifics of your case with our experienced team. We will help you understand the role airbag performance plays in your situation and evaluate the validity of your claim. With 40 years of experience fighting for injury victims in Las Vegas, Jack will provide tailored solutions for your unique needs.
Contact us today to get the guidance you deserve. Jack’s got your back!
