Airbag Injuries: What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident

14 Apr Airbag Injuries: What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Many times, injuries that seem minor can turn into serious health problems if they’re not treated right away. In this blog post, we’ll discuss airbag injuries and what to do if you’ve been hurt in an accident. We’ll also talk about how chiropractors can help with these types of injuries.

Air Bag Deployment

Generally, when there is a moderate to severe crash, a signal is sent from the air bag system’s electronic control unit to an inflator within the air bag module. An igniter in the inflator starts a chemical reaction that produces a harmless gas, which inflates the air bag within the blink of an eye – or less than 1/20th of a second. Because air bags deploy very rapidly, serious or sometimes fatal injuries can occur if the driver or passenger is too close to – or comes in direct contact with – the air bag when it first begins to deploy.

Side Air Bags

Side-impact air bags inflate even more quickly since there is less space between the driver or passengers and the striking object, whether the interior of the vehicle, another vehicle, a tree, or a pole. 

Frontal Air Bags

Sitting as far back from the steering wheel or dashboard as possible and using seat belts help prevent drivers and passengers from being “too close” to a deploying frontal air bag. This is why rear-facing car seats should not be placed in front of an active air bag, and children under 13 should be seated in the back seat. 

What is an Airbag Injury?

An airbag injury is any kind of injury that results from the deployment of an airbag in a car accident. These injuries can be minor, such as abrasions or bruises, or they can be more serious, such as broken bones and even death. Airbags are designed to protect you in a car crash, but if deployed too quickly or too forcefully, they can cause serious injury. Airbag injuries have many potential causes including the following:

• An airbag sensor can malfunction, causing the airbag not to deploy or to deploy at the wrong time
• Gasses released by the airbag can cause or worsen respiratory issues
• The deployment of the airbag can cause severe eye injury
• Shrapnel from the propellant canister can fly out of the airbag and strike vehicle occupants

Unfortunately, tens of millions of airbags had to be recalled in recent years when long-term exposure to heat and humidity caused them to explode during deployment. These airbags were manufactured by Takata and used by 19 different automakers. More than 400 injuries and nearly 30 deaths occurred, resulting in numerous lawsuits by airbag injury victims.

Common Symptoms of Airbag Injury

The most common symptoms of airbag injury are pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and face. You may also experience tenderness or swelling in these areas. Other symptoms include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

What to Do if You’ve Been Injured

If you think you may have been hurt in a car accident by an airbag, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. A qualified chiropractor can help diagnose and treat injuries related to the deployment of an airbag. Your chiropractor will be able to provide advice on how to manage your pain and make sure that any underlying issues are addressed. Your chiropractor may also recommend physical therapy or other treatments to help relieve your symptoms.

Our Colorado Accident & Injury providers are experts in treating the injuries people sustain in motor vehicle accidents. We understand that everyone has unique needs when it comes to treatment. That is why our team of medical professionals tailors a comprehensive care plan that is unique to you. We combine the most advanced techniques and treatments to improve your health, so you’ll return to normal life as quickly as possible.

Treatments may include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point injections, ultrasound or electrical stimulation. We also offer lifestyle advice to help reduce the risk of future accidents and injuries. Our injury care providers will work with you to create a personalized plan for recovery and improved well-being.

Make an Appointment with Colorado Accident & Injury

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait to get the medical care you need. Contact one of our Colorado Accident & Injury providers today to find out how we can help you manage your airbag injury and get back on the road to recovery. We are here for you every step of the way!