What are the causes of airbags?
Today’s vehicles are built with pressure and crash sensors that help to detect when a collision has occurred. When the sensors detect a collision, they trigger the deployment of the corresponding airbags (front, side or head curtain airbags).
What is a defective airbag?
A defective airbag refers to any airbag that contains a design defect, manufacturing defect, or other deficiency that jeopardizes the safe function of the airbag. For example, there are two main issues with the airbags at the heart of the Takata recall: Ammonium nitrate is used as the propellant agent in the inflator.
Why are my air bags not deploying after a crash?
In used vehicles, a possible reason for the air bag not to deploy is that the air bag may not have been replaced after a previous crash. NHTSA recommends that air bags always be replaced after a deployment.
Are there any bad things about making airbags?
Airbag Syndrome. Making airbags requires use of the harmful chemical sodium azide. It is released after deployment to inflate the bag and has been linked to illnesses called Airbag Syndrome. Only a few cases have been reported worldwide, but it is more of an issue with older cars.
Can a car air bag go off accidentally?
Only a few cases have been reported worldwide, but it is more of an issue with older cars. There is a chance the airbag could go off accidentally. This could be caused by an overly sensitive triggering mechanism. Cases such as these are rare. Airbags are designed to deflate once the driver has hit the bag to prevent crushing or suffocating them.
When did they start putting air bags in cars?
Vehicles can be equipped with both front and side air bags (SABs). Frontal air bags have been standard equipment in all passenger cars since model year 1998 and in all SUVs, pickups and vans since model year 1999. SABs are being offered as standard or optional equipment on many new passenger vehicles.
Who is responsible for the GM airbag problem?
Legally, GM is responsible for making a safe product that performs as it’s advertised to perform. Any injuries caused by the airbag defect are considered product liability claims, and the people hurt (and their families) have a right to seek damages. Under the law, GM is liable even if it didn’t know about the glitch.
In used vehicles, a possible reason for the air bag not to deploy is that the air bag may not have been replaced after a previous crash. NHTSA recommends that air bags always be replaced after a deployment.
Where are the air bags that have been recalled?
A picture dated 11 April 2013 shows the logo of Japanese auto-parts supplier Takata Corp. at the company Tokyo headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. FRANCK ROBICHON / EPA U.S. safety regulators are warning owners of millions of vehicles that have been recalled for air bag problems to get them repaired immediately.
Can a defective airbag turn into a product liability claim?
A malfunctioning airbag can turn into a product liability claim. We must be able to prove that some component of the airbag was defective when it left the manufacturer, or that the airbag was designed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous. We take cases for the most common physical injuries caused by airbags: