The automotive industry has made great strides in recent decades. Not only to improve the performance, capacity, and fuel consumption of vehicles but also to increase safety functions in case of accidents.

One of these advances has been the airbags that, according to NHSA statistics, saved the lives of approximately 50,457 people between 1987 and 2017. This wonderful invention was the creation of American John W. Hetrick, who was granted a patent on August 18, 1953. And since the late 1990s, airbags have been mandatory for all cars made in the United States.

Airbags activate through a signal they receive from a sensor when there is an impact. This signal causes the airbag's internal inflator to initiate the chemical reaction that causes the airbags to inflate in less than 1/20 of a second.

What If Airbags Don't Deploy?

Airbags do not necessarily deploy in an impact. For example, some situations in which they may not deploy are if the car was not traveling at high speed, when the vehicle hit a pothole or fell into a hole, or when there is a minor rear impact, among other situations.

However, airbags are not without errors and malfunctions, and there may be times when some fault prevents them from deploying. If, during an accident, the airbags fail and the person is seriously injured, then the auto company or the manufacturer of the airbags could be held liable. Some defects could include:

• Bad design
• Crash sensor failure
• Faulty or improperly installed electrical parts
• Computer controls error

The car company, the manufacturer of the airbags, or any other part of the system must meet high-quality standards and prove that all vehicle parts are working correctly. If not, the party responsible for your injuries will depend on the type of defect that prevented the airbags from deploying. A person who goes through such a situation may have the right to file a product liability claim.

Getting Help For Your Car Accident Claim

Call us today if you find yourself in such a situation. Our Los Angeles car accident law firm will help you review your case and obtain justice. Do not wait anymore!