Airbags are one of the most important vehicle safety features, but they are not risk-free. In some crashes, airbag deployment can cause serious burn injuries, including burns that result in permanent scarring or disfigurement to the face, neck, chest, or arms. If this happens after a collision caused by negligence, speaking with an experienced Austin car accident lawyer can help you understand whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Severe airbag burns can lead to long-term medical treatment, cosmetic procedures, emotional trauma, and lost income. Texas law allows injury victims to pursue compensation when these injuries are preventable and tied to another party’s negligence or a defective product.
Common Causes of Airbag Burns
Airbags are designed to deploy rapidly through the use of chemicals that create gas when heated or mixed. Historically, the most common chemical used is sodium azide, which produces nitrogen gas when heated. Airbag makers also rely on potassium nitrate and silicon dioxide. However, some of these chemicals can retain heat – creating hot particles that can potentially cause burns in a car accident.
Older vehicles (prior to 2000) are more likely to contain chemicals that may cause thermal burns. Even if the chemicals used do not retain heat, the chemicals themselves could potentially cause significant skin and eye irritation and allergic reactions, as well as chemical burns. The friction caused by airbag impact could also lead to burn injuries.
In the most damaging cases, airbag burns have been caused by serious product defects. The most glaring example in recent history is the Takata airbag recall. These airbags were filled with ammonium nitrate, which resulted in the airbags exploding upon deployment. This defect caused at least 400 injuries and led to the recall of 67 million airbags.
The Impact of Airbag Burn Injuries
It is possible for serious airbag burn injuries to lead to permanent scarring. Second-degree and third-degree thermal, chemical or friction burns from airbag deployment can cause scarring and disfigurement. Recovering from airbag burns may cost thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages.
Airbag injuries often affect highly visible parts of the body, including the face, neck and chest. This can make the scars more difficult to hide, potentially causing greater pain and suffering to the victim. Devastating scarring from airbag burns can negatively affect mental health, self-esteem, employment and enjoyment of life.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Severe Airbag Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries from an airbag can be compensated as part of an overall car accident claim or lawsuit even if the airbag deployed correctly. The driver or party responsible for causing the vehicle collision can be held liable, or financially responsible, for the victim’s burn injuries, along with any other injuries sustained in the automobile accident.
Since Texas is a fault state, it allows for the recovery of financial compensation from the insurance provider of the at-fault party. In a case of burn injuries caused by a defective airbag, the manufacturer or distributor of the airbag could also be held liable in addition to the person who caused the crash. A product liability lawsuit may help a victim recover fair compensation for severe burn injuries that cause scarring.
Potential Compensation in Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement Cases
If you suffered burns on your face, neck, hands or elsewhere from an airbag, you could be eligible for a financial recovery to help make you whole again.
Available compensation may include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost wages and future capacity to earn
- Serious or permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit with help from an Austin burn injury attorney can lead to the outcome you need after sustaining permanent scarring from an airbag. Contact FVF Law Firm to learn more about your rights during a cost-free case evaluation.
