Who Is Liable for Defective Airbag Injuries in California?

TL;DR: Airbags are designed to reduce injuries during a crash, but they don't always work as expected. If an airbag failed to deploy, deployed incorrectly, or caused an injury because of a defect, someone other than the driver who caused the crash may be responsible. Depending on what went wrong, liability could involve the vehicle manufacturer, airbag manufacturer, repair shop, or another party. Understanding California car accident laws can be overwhelming, and determining liability involves investigating various elements such as the airbag system, the vehicle's history, and what caused the malfunction.

Table of Contents

What Causes Airbag Malfunctions? Who Is Liable for Defective Airbags? What If the Airbag Failed to Deploy? How Do You Prove an Airbag Defect? What Can You Recover for an Airbag Injury? Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Airbag Malfunctions?

Most people expect an airbag to deploy in a serious crash. But airbags don't deploy in every collision, and several reasons can keep them from working as they should.
An airbag malfunction accident might involve an airbag that:

Fails to deploy when it should
Deploys when it shouldn't
Deploys too late
Deploys incorrectly
Deploys with excessive force
Has a defective sensor or other component

If an airbag didn't deploy because the crash didn't meet the deployment conditions, that doesn't necessarily mean anything was wrong with the system. But if a defective component caused the system to malfunction, the situation could be very different.

Who Is Liable for Defective Airbags?

So, who is liable for defective airbag injuries? Liability can fall on various parties, such as:

1. The Vehicle Manufacturer

A vehicle manufacturer could be responsible if the vehicle was sold with a defective airbag system or another design or manufacturing defect contributed to the injury. For example, if an airbag sensor was improperly designed and failed to recognize a crash that should have triggered deployment, the manufacturer could potentially face liability.

2. The Airbag Manufacturer

The company that manufactured the airbag or one of its components could also be responsible. This is where airbag manufacturer liability may come into play. If a component was defective when it left the manufacturer, and that defect contributed to someone's injuries, the manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability law.

3. A Repair Shop

Sometimes the problem doesn't start with the original manufacturer. If a vehicle was previously repaired and a repair shop improperly installed, replaced, or disconnected part of the airbag system, the shop could potentially be responsible for airbag malfunction injuries. This is especially important if a vehicle has been in a previous collision or had major repairs before the crash.

What If the Airbag Failed to Deploy?

An airbag failure accident can be especially complicated because you first have to determine whether the airbag actually should have deployed. An airbag is not designed to deploy in every type of crash. Whether deployment should have occurred can depend on factors such as the direction and severity of the impact, the vehicle's sensors, and the design of the airbag system.

So, if an airbag failed to deploy, it wouldn’t automatically prove that the airbag was defective. On the other hand, if evidence shows that a properly functioning airbag should have deployed and didn't, that could support an airbag defect claim.

An airbag can also deploy but still cause injury if it deploys incorrectly or has a defective component. These airbag deployment injuries may involve burns, fractures, eye injuries, hearing damage, or other serious trauma.

How Do You Prove an Airbag Defect?

If you're considering an airbag injury claim, evidence is key. The vehicle itself may contain valuable information about what happened. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve:

Vehicle inspection
Airbag and sensor examination
Crash data
Photographs and video
Police reports
Repair records
Vehicle maintenance history
Recall information
Medical records
Expert analysis

The vehicle may also need to be preserved so an expert can inspect the airbag system and other components. That's one reason you shouldn't assume that the driver who caused the crash is automatically the only person who may be responsible for your injuries.

What Can You Recover for Defective Airbag Injuries?

If a defective product contributed to your injuries, you may have a potential airbag injury lawsuit or other legal claim in addition to a claim related to the underlying crash. Depending on the circumstances, compensation could include medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, and compensation for pain and suffering.

A defective airbag lawsuit could involve different legal issues versus a typical car accident claim. Product liability laws may apply, and determining what failed may require technical investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be liable if an airbag fails to deploy during a crash?

Potentially the vehicle manufacturer, airbag manufacturer, repair shop, or another party, depending on what caused the failure. The driver who caused the crash could also be responsible for the underlying accident.

Does an airbag not deploying automatically mean it was defective?

No. Airbags aren't designed to deploy in every collision. The severity and direction of the crash, sensor readings, and other factors can affect whether deployment is expected.

Can I sue the car manufacturer for an airbag injury?

Possibly. If a defect in the vehicle or its airbag system contributed to your injuries, you may have a potential airbag product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Can a repair shop be liable for installing a defective airbag?

Potentially. If a repair shop improperly installed, replaced, disconnected, or otherwise damaged an airbag component and that mistake contributed to your injuries, the shop could be held responsible.

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