Protect Your Rights with Airbag Defect Accident Lawyer Austin
When airbags work correctly, they play a crucial role in saving your life during an accident by cushioning the impact and preventing you from hitting hard surfaces within the vehicle. However, airbags can also be dangerous if they malfunction or are improperly designed. This dual nature of airbags makes it imperative to understand the potential risks associated with them.
In cases where airbags cause injuries, hiring the right airbag defect accident lawyer Austin is essential to navigate the complexities of product liability and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you hold manufacturers accountable, push for safer designs, and advocate for your rights, ensuring that justice is served.
Airbags: Potential Injuries and Safety Risks
Airbags, designed to save lives in the event of a crash, can sometimes cause severe injuries. An experienced airbag defect accident lawyer Austin should be well-versed in the various various defects and the specific injuries they can cause. These injuries include severe whiplash, eye injuries, blindness, broken nose, tooth loss, partial decapitation, quadriplegia, and even death. The potential for such injuries is often due to defects in the airbags. Here are the main types of defects that can lead to these injuries:
Failure to Deploy
An airbag that fails to deploy during a crash can lead to severe injury or death as the primary safety measure fails to activate.
Late Deployment
When an airbag deploys late, it can cause additional injuries instead of providing the intended protection during the crash.
Overly Aggressive Deployment
An airbag that deploys with excessive force can cause injuries such as broken bones, eye injuries, and even more severe outcomes.
Airbag Design Thresholds
Poorly designed airbags that do not meet specific thresholds for deployment can either fail to deploy or deploy too forcefully, both of which can cause injury.
Untethered Airbags
Airbags that are not properly tethered can deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Oversized Airbags
Airbags that are too large for the vehicle can deploy with excessive force and cause injuries.
Inadequate Consumer Warnings
Without proper warnings and instructions, consumers may not use airbags safely, leading to an increased risk of injury.
Lack of Side or Curtain Airbags
Vehicles without side or curtain airbags may not provide adequate protection in side-impact collisions, leading to higher injury risks.
Special Risks for Children
Airbags can pose significant safety risks for children, particularly in low-severity crashes. Here are crucial precautions to ensure the safety of child passengers:
- Infants: Always place an infant in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.
- Children 1 to 12 Years Old: Transport children in the back seat using appropriate child restraints.
- Lap Riding: Never allow children to ride on the laps of others.
- Steering Wheel Adjustment: If the steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward to point toward the chest instead of the head and neck.
Litigation and Advocacy for Safer Airbags
The ongoing efforts by airbag defect accident lawyer Austin and consumer groups nationwide continue to push for stricter requirements and testing from the auto industry and government. These efforts aim to improve airbag design and safety. While complete protection in all accidents cannot be guaranteed, taking the following precautions can help reduce the risk of airbag-related injuries:
Buckle Up
Always wear your seat belt to ensure you are correctly positioned in case of airbag deployment.
Seat Adjustment
Adjust your seat as far back as practical, maintaining at least 10 inches between the center of the airbag cover and your breastbone. Move your seat back while still comfortably reaching the pedals. Recline the seat slightly, ensuring you can still see the road easily.
Airbags are a crucial safety feature, but they come with their risks. Understanding these risks and taking the appropriate precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury. Always use seat belts, place children in the back seat, and adjust your seating position to maximize safety. By staying informed and cautious, you can help ensure that airbags provide the protection they are designed to deliver.
Hiring an Airbag Defect Accident Lawyer Austin
Airbags, while designed to protect, can sometimes fail and cause serious harm. Navigating the aftermath of such an event can be overwhelming, particularly when dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance claims. This is where the expertise of an airbag defect accident lawyer Austin becomes invaluable.
Our Airbag defect accident lawyer Austin is here to help. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us to speak with a Texas product liability lawyer. Don’t face the aftermath of an airbag defect alone; let our experienced team support you and advocate for your rights.
Update on Takata Airbag Failure Recall
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