Your airbags are there to protect you when a crash happens. When something goes wrong with the airbag system, the results can be frightening. A faulty airbag may not go off when you need it, or it could deploy when you are simply driving down the road. That kind of surprise can lead to serious injuries.
If the warning light on your dashboard isn’t working or the airbag control module has a glitch, you may not realize there’s a problem at all. Knowing the signs of a defective airbag helps you keep yourself and your passengers safe every time you get behind the wheel.
If you believe a defect may be involved, a defective airbag lawyer from Langdon & Emison can help evaluate your situation and explain the next steps.
How to know if your airbag is defective through recalls
One of the most common ways to confirm an airbag defect is through a recall issued by the vehicle or airbag manufacturer. When a large-scale problem is identified, automakers notify affected owners so the part can be repaired or replaced at no cost.
Car owners in Missouri and Illinois can check for recalls by entering their 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Your VIN appears near the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver’s doorjamb, or on insurance and registration documents.
Airbag recalls are ongoing nationwide, and many vehicles remain specifically impacted by defective Takata airbags. The issue stems from a chemical inside the airbag inflator that can degrade over time. In a crash, it may ignite too fast and cause the metal inflator to rupture, sending sharp fragments into the cabin.
Signs of a defective airbag
There are situations where a recall hasn’t been announced, or the problem only affects a limited number of vehicles. Common indicators include:
- The airbag doesn’t deploy during a collision
- Rupture or explosion during deployment
- Deployment with excessive force leading to face, eye, or neck injuries
- Unexpected deployment while driving normally
Swelling or bruising can occur even when airbags work properly, particularly in higher-speed crashes. When a driver or passenger sustains more severe facial injuries, eye damage, or fractures due to excessive force, attorneys can investigate whether the airbag malfunctioned.
Your legal options if you sustained injury due to a faulty airbag
When a defective airbag contributes to a crash or increases the severity of injuries, multiple parties may be responsible. Liable parties may include the vehicle manufacturer or the company that designed or produced the airbag components.
Legal claims involving defective airbags often require a review of crash data and engineering evidence to show how the defect affected the outcome. If the defect has impacted many drivers, your case may be handled through consolidated litigation such as multidistrict litigation (MDL). This structure allows injured consumers to pursue compensation more efficiently when similar injuries occur across millions of vehicles.
How a defective airbag lawyer can help
Langdon & Emison has a long history of handling airbag defect cases, including those involving Takata airbags. When an airbag deploys with too much force, sends shrapnel flying, or fails to deploy at all, the consequences can change a person’s life in an instant.
Our experienced legal team knows how to investigate issues like sensor errors and airbags that strike an occupant before they fully inflate. We also examine whether the vehicle came with the proper warnings about potential airbag dangers and how to avoid injury.
With decades of experience, Langdon & Emison works to hold manufacturers accountable and help families recover after these preventable failures. Call (866) 931-2115 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
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