Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. | July 1, 2022 | Car Accidents
Almost all modern passenger vehicles come equipped with certain safety features. These mechanisms serve to protect drivers and passengers.
Some of the most common safety features include seat belts, brake assist, blind-spot mirrors, and adaptive cruise control. Airbags are one of the most protective safety mechanisms in any car or truck.
When a crash happens, these inflatable bags protect the driver and passengers. The airbags keep those in the vehicle from colliding with the car’s or truck’s interior.
Without airbags, passengers may come into contact with the windows, doors, dashboard, or steering wheel. These types of impacts can result in severe and catastrophic injuries.
Below, you can learn about the types of accidents that tend to result in the inflation of airbags. If you have been involved in a severe traffic collision, reach out to a knowledgeable motor vehicle accident attorney for help.
How Do Airbags Work?
According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags have saved more than 50,000 people over the span of 30 years. While airbags have protected many drivers and passengers, they are classified as “supplemental” safety features.
This is because airbags are intended to work in concert with the seatbelts in a passenger vehicle. Airbags may be installed in the front or side of a car or truck’s interior.
These airbags are intended to inflate in the event of a moderate or severe collision. However, they may inflate in a minor crash, depending on the point at which the vehicle is impacted.
According to the law, new vehicles are required to feature frontal airbags. When a vehicle is involved in a collision, the electronic control system tells specific airbags to inflate.
The bags that deploy will depend on the location and severity of the impact. The airbags are inflated using a chemical reaction, allowing them to deploy in a fraction of a second.
Some vehicles feature airbags in the doors, known as “side” airbags. Because passengers are so close to the interior of the vehicle’s doors, these airbags inflate more quickly than those installed in the front. Typically, side airbags protect passengers’ heads and chests.
How Do You Get the Most Protection from Your Airbags?
It is impossible to prepare for airbag deployment when a collision occurs. The bags inflate so quickly that you won’t know it’s happening until it is done.
However, it is critical to take certain steps to get the most protection from the airbags in your vehicle. Some important airbag safety tips include:
Maintaining Distance
It is crucial to always maintain at least ten inches between your body and the steering wheel or dash. This distance allows airbags to inflate fully in a traffic accident.
Using Seat Belts
The protection that airbags provide supplements that of seat belts. Coming into contact with an inflating airbag while not wearing your seat belt can result in injuries.
You should always wear your seat belt when operating a motor vehicle.
Replacing Used Airbags
Front and side airbags will only inflate one time. If your airbags have already been deployed, you should get them replaced by a technician as soon as possible.
It is vital to take these steps to ensure you get all of the protection your airbags offer. If your airbags fail to deploy because of a malfunction, you may be able to recover compensation through a product liability claim.
An NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Car Accident Involving Airbag Deployment
Following a motor vehicle collision, contact a knowledgeable car accident lawyer to recover the financial damages you deserve. An attorney will help you maximize your compensation and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so there’s no risk in reaching out for help after your collision.
Contact Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., Our Car Accident Law Firm in New York City
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City car accident lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
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New York, NY 10005
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