Why Do Florida Residents Need to Learn About How Airbags Cause Injuries During Minor Collisions?

August 21, 2025

Dennis Hernandez

People in Florida need to understand the injuries airbags cause during minor collisions based on the discussion. Modern vehicles contain airbags as standard safety equipment which the entire automotive world accepts as such. Airbags serve their main safety function by protecting human bodies from contacting vehicle structures in accidents. Airbags with seat belts provide vital protection to people during major vehicle accidents. The safety benefits airbags provide to drivers do not apply when people get involved in small vehicle collisions.

Florida drivers gain knowledge about airbag injuries from their personal experiences with minor car accidents. Compensation claimants need to understand the technical aspects together with the reasons why airbag injuries occur. The legal defense firm Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys provides educational services along with protective services for victims against responsible parties. We fight to get you paid!

What Impact Does the Airbag Deployment System Have on Human Bodies?

During their activation process airbags generate harmful effects on human bodies.

The airbag deployment system starts with accident sensor detection followed by quick gas emission to inflate the airbag. The inflator system relies on sensor-detected vehicle deceleration to create rapid nitrogen gas expansion which inflates the airbag. The fast-expanding airbag functions as a protective mechanism to prevent damage from dashboard and steering wheel and windshield impacts during accidents.

The protective capabilities of airbags in crashes simultaneously create safety risks for vehicle occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents show that airbags activate at speeds between 100 to 220 mph. The deployment force of airbags maintains consistent levels during high-speed accidents in relation to crash severity. The forces generated from low-speed collisions exceed safety limits which results in injuries that would not have occurred normally.

Do Airbags Deploy Automatically in Low-Speed Accidents?

The deployment of airbags occurs through crash sensor data rather than speed measurements for their activation commands. The deployment of airbags starts when sensors detect vehicle speed and direction changes regardless of crash impact intensity. Airbags activate mainly during vehicle impacts with stationary objects such as poles or barriers instead of moving cars during accidents.

The deployment sensitivity of airbags depends on the specific sensor systems found in different vehicle models. Different vehicles respond to identical collisions at different sensitivity levels because their deployment systems operate with varying sensitivity. The safety system produces negative effects which lead to victim injuries.

Which Types of Injuries Result from Airbag Deployments During Minor Traffic Accidents?

Airbags protect people from injury yet create new types of harm to victims in particular situations. The main injuries related to airbags include:

Facial Injuries:
Standard facial injuries from front passenger airbag deployment include skin abrasions and bruises together with additional lacerations and eye injuries. The face suffers injuries from airbag deployment because passengers either sit improperly or too close to the airbag.

Upper Body Trauma:
Airbag expansion results in physical contact between the airbag and the body which produces bone fractures along with muscle and ligament injuries to the chest and arms and shoulders. People who fail to use their seatbelts properly increase their risk of suffering airbag-related injuries since their body moves forward in collisions.

Hearing Damage:
A loud noise emerges from the inflation process. The inflation noise from airbags causes permanent hearing damage and tinnitus among victims. The strong airbag deployment pressure moves through narrow vehicle spaces to harm sensitive ear structures.

Burns and Friction Injuries:
The fabric of the airbag causes skin damage through friction while the propellant gas results in chemical burns that affect mainly the face, arms and hands.

Under What Specific Circumstances Do Airbag Injuries Become More Likely?

The level of harm people experience from airbag deployments depends on multiple factors.

People with small body dimensions together with children and petite adults face an elevated risk of impact injuries.

Each passenger experiences different risk levels that depend on their distance from dashboard and steering wheel components. The protection against airbag-related injuries requires passengers to maintain a distance of at least 10 inches from the modules.

The correct use or absence of seat belts makes passengers more susceptible to deploying airbags since they will strike the bags at faster speeds.

Most safety risks affect parents together with caregivers who transport both children and small adult passengers.

Do These Types of Injuries Happen Frequently Enough to Require Legal Intervention?

Yes. Airbag injuries remain significant although they happen infrequently because they produce medical complications and permanent damage to the body.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts research on how defective airbag deployment systems cause major injuries during crashes between 8 and 14 mph.

Florida state legislation provides legal safeguards to victims who get hurt by defective safety equipment while also protecting users of safety devices from incorrect usage. People who receive unneeded or excessive airbag deployment can pursue compensation through personal injury laws and product liability laws.

What Legal Rights Do Florida Citizens Have After Airbag Injuries?

Under Florida law Florida residents who experience airbag-related injuries receive specific legal protections based on their individual circumstances.

All vehicle owners in Florida must join the no-fault insurance system as per state insurance law. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides each motorist with $10,000 in medical payment coverage without considering the reason for the accident. The standard PIP coverage does not cover airbag injuries.

Victims can obtain compensation through these three available options:

Bodily Injury Liability Claims

You need to file a liability claim with the responsible driver to receive compensation above PIP coverage limits. The claims process for liability enables people to obtain necessary funds for medical expenses and surgical costs and wage loss during work.

Product Liability Claims

The manufacturer or dealer must face legal action when their airbag system fails to operate properly. The Florida product liability laws protect consumers because they offer insurance coverage for injuries that result from defective products due to poor design or flawed manufacturing or insufficient warning signs.

Wrongful Death Claims

Family members who lose loved ones due to airbag accidents can bring wrongful death lawsuits under Florida Statutes §768.16–768.26.

What Should You Do Following an Airbag Injury?

The following essential procedures protect both your health and your legal position.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

People who experience airbag crashes usually cannot see their first internal injuries and hearing damage symptoms at the same time. Your doctor should conduct a medical evaluation regardless of the severity of your current symptoms.

Document the Incident Thoroughly

Start by taking pictures of all crash-related elements at the scene then photograph the vehicle state and airbag deployment and any noticeable injuries. Record your symptoms in a journal as well as their effects on your daily routines.

Preserve Your Vehicle

Before modifying any vehicle you must perform an inspection evaluation.
The success of your claim depends on both airbag module and crash sensors evaluation since these components hold crucial information.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

An attorney who specializes in car accidents in your area will protect your rights while preparing your claim correctly. The attorneys at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys stand ready to assist you with your case after successfully obtaining multiple millions of dollars for their clients.

At What Point in Development Can We Stop Airbag Injuries from Occurring?

Some safety practices decrease the possibility of injuries yet certain injuries cannot be prevented:

Sit upright and back from the dashboard
Always wear your seat belt correctly
Placing objects or pets on your lap should be avoided
Check your vehicle frequently while following any recall instructions for the airbags
Teaching young passengers about proper vehicle seat position remains essential for their safety.

Airbag injuries mostly stem from people sitting in wrong positions combined with drivers not using their seat belts near airbag deployments.

Are You Concerned About Accidental Airbag Deployments?

Your vehicle requires immediate attention because you have received recall notifications while your sensor needs to be reset. Airbags will activate during light vehicle collisions even though deployment is not required.

People who experience accidental airbag injuries can obtain compensation for their sustained damages. You should consult a car accident lawyer who operates in your local area for the initial assessment of your case.

When Should You Contact a Car Accident Injury Lawyer?

As soon as possible. The revised Florida law imposes a two-year time restriction for all personal injury claims. Your case will become invalid even though your injuries are valid because you delayed filing your legal action.

Your personal injury attorney will assist you in obtaining evidence while presenting your options for fair compensation. The legal process must run parallel to your recovery from injuries and your healing process for both finances and emotions.

Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys supports you throughout your entire legal process. We fight to get you paid!