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Home  >  Articles  >  Air Bag Defects

Air Bag Defects

Air bags are designed to protect drivers and passengers in case an accident occurs. They were initially created as an optional feature that a new car owner could choose to purchase, but they are now standard in most vehicles. An air bag that deploys properly can save an accident victim from serious injuries by cushioning him or her during impact and preventing contact between the driver’s body and the steering wheel column or windshield. Sometimes, however, air bags do not work as they should and may actually do more harm than good.

Types of Defects

Because of the great amount of force with which they are released, air bags are capable of causing serious injury. Some of the defects that can put a person in danger include:

  • Deploy with too much force: Air bags are designed to cushion a 5 foot 8 inch tall individual who weighs 180 pounds. They may therefore hurt smaller individuals, particularly women and children.
  • Deploy with too little force: If the air bag does not deploy and inflate fast enough, it may fail to cushion the impact.
  • Deploy too early or too late: A poorly timed air bag can cause serious head, neck, and spine injuries.
  • Fail to deploy: The bag may not deploy at all, leaving the driver and passengers at risk of being injured from the impact of the crash.
  • Deploying when no accident has occurred: A faulty sensor or release mechanism may cause a bag to deploy when there hasn’t been a collision, possibly injuring the driver or passengers or causing an accident itself.

If you or someone you love has been injured because of an air bag defect, the vehicle manufacturer may be liable and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.

Contact Us

For sound legal advice and assistance with air bag defects and accident liability, contact the New Jersey personal injury lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529.