For most drivers, airbags are a trusted line of defense in case of a California car crash. But what happens when the very thing designed to save lives becomes the cause of injury or worse? When airbags lead to injuries, the injured victim can file a claim for compensation for the damages.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a defective airbag, here’s everything you need to know about these life-altering defects and your legal options.
Why Do Airbags Fail to Deploy?
Airbags are a critical safety feature designed to deploy during moderate to severe crashes, but there are instances where they may not activate. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Type of Collision: Airbags are primarily designed to deploy in frontal or near-frontal impacts. In side, rear-end, or rollover accidents, they often won’t activate unless the sensors detect enough force in the right direction.
- Low-Speed Accidents: In crashes below a certain speed threshold, airbag sensors may determine that seat belts alone provide sufficient protection, preventing airbag deployment.
- Faulty Sensors or Control Modules: A malfunction in the airbag control module or crash sensors can result in failure to deploy, even in serious collisions.
- Electrical or Wiring Issues: Problems with the vehicle’s wiring or airbag circuitry can disrupt the system’s ability to receive the signal to deploy.
- Previous Deployment Without Proper Reset: If an airbag system was triggered in a prior accident and wasn’t properly repaired or reset, it may fail to function in subsequent crashes.
- Aftermarket Repairs or Modifications: Improper repairs, such as replacing a steering wheel without correctly reinstalling the airbag, can interfere with the system’s functionality.
- Blocked or Damaged Sensors: Sensors obstructed by debris, dirt, or corrosion may fail to accurately detect crash forces, leading to non-deployment.
If you’ve been in a collision where airbags didn’t deploy, it’s essential to have the system inspected by a professional.
Common Injuries Resulting from Defective Airbags
When airbags fail to work properly, they can cause injuries that can be minor or life-altering. Some of the most common injuries linked to defective airbags include:
- Severe Head Trauma: If the airbag fails to deploy, the head can strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or side window with full force, leading to traumatic brain injuries or skull fractures. Aside from this, passengers can also be affected by faulty airbags. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags, especially on the passenger side, can be deadly for children in certain situations.
- Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries: Without proper cushioning, the violent forces of a crash can cause whiplash, herniated discs, or even spinal cord damage, potentially leaving victims with chronic pain or permanent disability.
- Chest and Rib Injuries: A malfunctioning airbag that deploys too aggressively or with a defective inflator can break ribs, damage internal organs, or cause dangerous bruising of the heart and lungs.
- Facial Injuries and Eye Damage: Exploding airbag inflators, which have been subject to recalls in the Takata airbag crisis, can send shrapnel flying into a person’s face and eyes, causing blindness, lacerations, or disfigurement. A 2015 NHTSA study linked airbag ruptures to multiple severe facial trauma cases across the United States.
- Burns and Abrasions: Even a correctly working airbag can cause minor friction burns, but defective airbags can spray hot chemicals or deploy with explosive force, leaving victims with second or third-degree burns.
- Wrongful Death: In the most severe cases, defective airbags have been known to cause fatal injuries, either through violent explosions or a complete failure to deploy in a high-speed crash.
No one should have to suffer these kinds of injuries because of a faulty safety device. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a defective airbag, you may have the right to seek justice and hold manufacturers accountable for their failures.
Can I Seek Compensation for an Injury Caused by a Defective Airbag After a California Car Crash?
You can seek compensation if a defective airbag caused or worsened your injuries after a California car accident. Here’s how it generally works:
Product Liability Claim
If the airbag failed to deploy, deployed with excessive force, or exploded, you may have grounds for a product liability case against the airbag manufacturer, the car maker, or both.
Under California law, injured victims have the right to hold manufacturers strictly liable for defective products that cause harm, regardless of whether the manufacturer acted negligently. This means you may not need to prove that the company was careless, only that the airbag was defective and resulted in your injuries.
Legal claims for defective products, including vehicle parts like airbags, generally fall into three categories of liability:
- Manufacturing Defects – If materials or production processes are substandard, leading to unsafe products.
- Design Deficiencies – When a product’s design is inherently flawed and poses a danger, even if properly made.
- Lack of Warning – If a product cannot be entirely safe and lacks adequate warnings about its risks.
Negligence Claim
If the airbag system was repaired improperly, or if a mechanic installed it incorrectly after a previous collision, you might have a negligence claim against the repair shop or dealership.
This could occur if the repair shop failed to follow proper safety protocols, used defective parts, or did not have adequately trained technicians working on your vehicle. In such cases, the repair shop or dealership may be held liable for any injuries or damages caused by the faulty airbag system.
Overall, you must demonstrate the following when pursuing a negligence or personal injury claim:
- The entity had the duty to ensure your safety.
- They failed to uphold that duty.
- Their actions resulted in an accident.
- The accident caused injuries and damage.
However, it is crucial to gather evidence, such as repair receipts, invoices, and expert opinions, to support your claim. When demonstrating negligence in a personal injury claim, consulting with an experienced attorney can help you determine whether you have a strong case and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
Defective Airbag Lawsuit Example: The Takata Case in California Car Crashes
Manufactured by Japan’s Takata Corporation, these airbags were installed in millions of American and Japanese vehicles. However, a serious defect lies in their accelerant canister, the component responsible for inflating the airbag during a collision. Studies revealed that these canisters could overheat and explode, spraying dangerous shrapnel inside the vehicle.
This defect has also caused instances of airbags failing to inflate during accidents, depriving drivers and passengers of their intended protection. Millions of vehicles have been recalled, and victims have been injured and killed. In fact, these Takata defective airbags caused 400 injuries and 18 deaths in the United States.
In line with the incident, a South Florida jury awarded $3 million to Jose Hernandez, who was seriously injured by a defective Takata airbag in a 2020 crash.
Hernandez was making a left turn in his 2005 Honda Civic in Miami when another car struck him. Although the crash should have caused only minor injuries, the Takata airbag inflator exploded, sending metal shrapnel into his right arm.
While you have the right to seek compensation for the damages, you will need to analyze the cause and determine the liable parties; only then can you file a claim appropriate to the circumstances. A defective airbag attorney can do these for you to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Who Can Be Liable if Airbags Don’t Deploy During a California Car Crash?
When a defective airbag contributes to a California car accident, multiple parties could be responsible:
- The Vehicle Manufacturer: If the airbag system was defectively designed, improperly installed, or faulty from the factory, the car manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.
- The Airbag Manufacturer: If the issue stems from a defect in the airbag or inflator itself, as seen in cases like the Takata recalls, the airbag manufacturer could bear responsibility.
- Dealerships or Repair Shops: If a mechanic, dealership, or body shop performed faulty repairs, such as failing to properly reinstall the airbag system after an accident—they could be held accountable.
- Previous Vehicle Owners: In rare cases, a prior owner who knowingly disabled airbags or sold a salvaged car without disclosing airbag issues may share liability.
If an airbag failure has occurred, identifying the responsible party requires a thorough investigation. Understanding who contributed to the malfunction is essential for pursuing compensation. Consulting an experienced California car crash lawyer can help you manage the process, protect your rights, and seek the justice you deserve.
How Much Settlement Should I Get for Injuries Caused by Defective Airbags?
If you were injured in a California car crash where a defective airbag failed to protect you, you may be entitled to significant compensation. You can pursue a personal injury claim against the vehicle or airbag manufacturer or any other party responsible for the defect.
The amount of compensation you might recover will depend on the seriousness of your injuries, how those injuries have affected your daily life, and your ability to show that the airbag was unreasonably dangerous or defective. Here’s what damages you may be eligible for:
Medical Expenses
You can claim costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatment you will need because of your injuries.
Lost Income
If your injuries forced you to miss work, you can recover compensation for those lost wages. If your ability to work in the future is affected, you may also seek damages for reduced earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
This accounts for the emotional distress caused by the trauma of the accident and the airbag failure.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or personal items were damaged in the crash, you can seek reimbursement for repair or replacement costs.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If your injuries keep you from enjoying hobbies, recreational activities, or social interactions you once loved, you can pursue compensation for that loss.
Disability or Disfigurement
When defective airbags cause permanent scarring, amputation, or other disabling injuries, you may recover damages for the long-term impact on your quality of life.
Punitive Damages
In severe cases, the court can grant you punitive damages to be included in your settlement. This type of damage can only be pursued if the actions of the liable party are extremely negligent or malicious.
The amount you can recover varies widely. In less severe cases, settlements might be in the thousands of dollars, but for serious or catastrophic injuries, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands or even millions, especially when liability is clear.
However, these cases can be complex, as you’ll likely be dealing with major automakers or large manufacturers who will aggressively defend against your claim. They may dispute the defect or blame another cause for your injuries.
That’s why it’s crucial to work with an experienced defective airbag attorney in California. A lawyer can help gather crucial evidence, consult engineering or medical experts, calculate your true losses, and fight for every dollar you deserve. With the right legal guidance, you’ll have the strongest chance of recovering fair compensation so you can rebuild your life after a defective airbag turned a crash into a nightmare.
What Does a Recall Mean for Me?
You may wonder if having your vehicle recalled through a safety notice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the manufacturer prevents you from taking legal action. The answer is no.
If you’ve suffered injuries due to a recalled defect, such as the Takata airbag, the recall does not negate your right to compensation. To repair the defect, owners can visit a licensed dealership free of charge. However, if harm has already occurred, you may have grounds for a claim.
Take Action Now
If a defective airbag has caused you injury in a California car crash, or you’ve tragically lost a loved one due to this preventable issue, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Legal remedies are available to help secure compensation for your damages, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Our team at The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker is here to make your fight for justice straightforward, effective, and less overwhelming. Call us at 800-333-0000 today for a free legal consultation.
Don’t wait. Your right to compensation deserves a strong, confident, and experienced advocate by your side.
What Our Clients Have to Say About Us
While many personal injury attorneys can represent you, our team goes above and beyond with relentless advocacy and unwavering dedication. We don’t just handle cases; we fight tirelessly to build the strongest possible claim for every client. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the trust and satisfaction of those we’ve helped before:
“Great overall experience. Paralegal and staff were thorough and clear, easy to understand the legal process, and quick response time. Completely recommended for personal injury cases.” Diana E.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accident Claims
Need to learn more about personal injury claims? We want to help you! Here are common questions injured victims ask, which may clarify various aspects of your case.
- California Personal Injury Settlements: Taxable or Not?
- Can I Seek Compensation for a Permanent Injury From a Car Accident?
- Who is Liable for a Car Accident with an Unlicensed Driver?
- California Car Crashes with Vision-Impaired Drivers: Who is Liable?
References
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). (n.d.). NHTSA. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/fatality-analysis-reporting-system-fars
Fatality Reduction by Air Bags. (n.d.). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/808470
Florida jury awards man $3M for defective airbag that caused serious injury during crash. (n.d.). apnews.com. https://apnews.com/article/crash-airbag-takata-florida-award-cc06c52796f07906541bf154b5fb98a7
Takata Air Bag Recall Spotlight. (n.d.). NHTSA. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/takata-recall-spotlight
Two cases of driver death caused by airbag rupture. (2024, May 18). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1538958823003983
