Modern vehicles depend heavily on airbags as their principal safety feature. The technology inside airbags activates instantly to create a protective barrier that minimizes critical injuries. A car accident becomes dangerous when an airbag fails to deploy. The non-deployment of an airbag in your crash accident leads to the natural question of whether you have the right to file a lawsuit.

This article details Florida law protections along with accident procedures and personal injury attorney services for securing your compensation.

Why Are Airbags Essential to Protect Drivers and Their Passengers from Injury?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that frontal airbags prevented 50,457 deaths during the period from 1987 to 2017. The system activates airbags through millisecond crash detection to minimize injuries to the head and other severe body parts.

Despite their importance the deployment of airbags remains subject to failure. The entire system depends on a combination of sensors and electronic control units with electrical wiring. The entire system will fail when any one component stops functioning thus endangering human life.

What Elements Make an Airbag Fail to Activate in a Collision?

The following factors lead to malfunctioning of airbag systems:

• The non-deployment of the airbag occurs because of faulty inflators along with wiring and sensors.
• The manufacturing process contains errors which impact system quality.
• The system becomes defective when installed or maintained incorrectly by a mechanic or manufacturer.
• The failure to follow scheduled vehicle service leads to discovery of safety issues that were not detected.

A valid personal injury claim exists when your airbag failed to deploy because of any listed reason.

Does Florida Law Allow a Lawsuit for Airbag System Failure?

Yes. Florida state law grants the right to injured victims who suffer from product defects that cause injuries to pursue legal action. The legal principle behind product liability claims exists under this category. Under Florida Statutes §768.81, manufacturers become responsible for injuries that result from defective products.

Your car accident attorney must establish three essential points to win your case:

• The airbag was defective.
• You were using the vehicle as intended.
• The failure directly caused your injuries.

You may also need to file a negligence lawsuit when the airbag system received improper maintenance from a repair shop.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in an Airbag Failure Lawsuit?

A single airbag failure lawsuit may target several responsible entities:

• Vehicle manufacturer
• Airbag system supplier
• Dealership or repair shop
• Parts manufacturer

Your local traffic accident attorney will lead an investigation to find responsible parties before creating a solid legal plan for your case.

What Actions Should You Take Following a Crash When the Airbag System Fails to Activate?

The way you handle yourself after a crash determines how well your claim will succeed. Follow these steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention

You should always visit a doctor after a crash even if you seem uninjured because internal injuries and concussions can develop later. The medical records establish the link between your injuries and the faulty airbag system.

2. Preserve the Vehicle

Do not repair or alter the vehicle. The airbag system along with vehicle condition must be evaluated by qualified experts. Your personal injury lawyer requires the vehicle to stay undamaged until they complete their complete inspection.

3. Document the Scene

Take photos that include the vehicle damage along with the non-deployed airbag and your injuries and complete view of the accident scene. You should obtain witness details from people who observed either the crash or the non-operational airbag deployment.

4. Contact a Car Accident Attorney

Major car companies and parts manufacturers require legal support to process your claim. Your attorney will support evidence preservation and expert consultation while safeguarding your rights.

What Kind of Compensation Does a Lawsuit Provide to Victims of Airbag Failures?

A successful lawsuit provides you with the opportunity to obtain monetary compensation for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs along with lost income and reduced future earnings.

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)

Since our inception Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys has successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We fight to get you paid.

What Real-World Cases Show the Public Impact of Airbag Lawsuits?

A widely known example is the Takata airbag recall. The defective airbags exploded when deployed thus resulting in injuries or fatalities to the vehicle occupants. The defective airbag products harmed more than 100 million vehicles across the world while Takata faced numerous legal challenges. The company declared bankruptcy and agreed to pay more than $1 billion in settlements to resolve the cases.

The Florida courts heard a notable case when an auto accident survivor brought a lawsuit against her automaker after the airbag failed to deploy during her head-on collision. The spinal injuries she suffered were proven through expert testimony after it was discovered that the airbag system sensors were faulty. She received major damages from the jury during the case.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Claim in Florida?

Yes. Under Florida law, personal injury claimants have four years from their injury date to file their lawsuits (Florida Statutes §95.11(3)).

Two years for wrongful death cases.

The deadline for filing a claim determines whether you will receive compensation since missing it will result in compensation denial. You need to contact a car collision lawyer immediately since this is the first step to taking action.

How Can Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys Help?

Legal knowledge combined with expert resources and relentless advocacy enables individuals to handle product liability cases successfully. Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys possesses the needed experience to handle major manufacturer cases and achieve victories.

We handle every step of the process:

• Investigating your accident
• Consulting with engineers and medical experts
• Gathering evidence and preserving your vehicle
• Negotiating settlements
• Taking your case to trial if needed

Our commitment to your justice extends from our knowledge about the devastating impact of these accidents.

What Makes Our Legal Team Different?

Selecting the correct personal injury lawyer stands as the most important decision you can make. Our firm focuses on the following:

• Clear communication
• Compassionate client care
• Aggressive pursuit of full compensation

Our law firm does not charge fees at the beginning of the case except when we win your case.

We understand how to handle defective airbag claims with our expertise while we aggressively fight against large corporations. Our team enters the fight to protect your safety when it has been compromised.

Recommended Reading

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration \u2013 Airbag Safety Overview
• Car Crash Lawyer’s Essential Guide: How to Avoid Accidents During Holiday Travel in Florida
• Costly Mistakes to Avoid After an Accident
• Distractions to Drivers of Rideshare Apps
• Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law
• Florida’s Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Awareness Month