Airbags inflate in less than a single second in the event of a car accident. That rapid deployment, while effective at ensuring you aren’t thrown around your vehicle, requires enormous pressure. Moreover, airbags are designed to catch your head to slow its movement. Together, these aspects make it understandable why airbag injuries are a common occurrence.
Negligent drivers are liable for all injuries that result from car crashes in Chicago, IL, including those caused by safety equipment. Additionally, manufacturers may be liable for defective airbags.
With that in mind, if you suffered an airbag injury, our car accident lawyer in Chicago can help you identify your possible legal claims. Contact our Chicago law office at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free initial consultation to learn more at (312) 726-1616.
How Our Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Can Help With an Airbag Injury Claim
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys has fought for the rights of injured clients in Chicago, Illinois, for over a decade. Our lawyers have earned a remarkable 99% success rate, recovering $100+ million in financial compensation for accident victims throughout the city.
If you were hurt due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful acts, we will provide you with the following forms of legal assistance:
- Discussing your injuries and legal rights
- Collecting records, documents, and other evidence for your case
- Preparing and filing your insurance claim
- Negotiating with insurers to resolve your case
- Taking your case to court if the at-fault party refuses to settle
Airbags can cause life-threatening injuries to the head, neck, and spinal cord. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a Chicago personal injury lawyer to discuss your injuries and the compensation we can seek for them.
What Are Some Common Airbag Injuries?
A sensor at the front of your vehicle is what detects a frontal impact. When the front of your vehicle strikes something, the sensor triggers a chemical reaction inside an inflator to produce a large volume of gas. Because of the position of the sensor, airbags are typically not deployed in side-impact or rear-end collisions.
When an airbag deploys and catches you, your body’s energy is directed into it instead of your bones and the soft tissues of your head, neck, and upper chest. Be that as it may, the force you encounter can still injure you in the following manners:
Bruises
Bruises occur when the small blood vessels under the skin rupture. The injury site will become sore and discolored from pooled blood.
Facial Fractures
Though airbags prevent your head from striking the dashboard or steering wheel, they strike your forehead and face to do so. In some situations, the accompanying force can fracture facial bones or knock out teeth.
Concussions
Your brain can shift forward inside your skull when your head strikes the airbag, causing a concussion. As your brain undergoes mild swelling, you may experience symptoms such as headache, confusion, and clumsiness. Your concussion symptoms may also be delayed since your brain will change for several hours or days after your crash.
How Do Airbag Injuries Happen During Car Accidents in Chicago, IL?
Minor airbag injuries can occur in any crash, while severe injuries typically happen when a child (or short adult) sits too close to the dashboard and gets struck by the inflating airbag. Injuries can also occur when airbag defects cause the system to fail or malfunction.
What Compensation Can I Seek For My Airbag Injuries?
You can seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages comprise the monetary costs of your injuries, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and physical therapy.
Non-economic damages involve the human costs of your injuries, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Car accident lawyers in Chicago typically charge a contingency fee, meaning you owe no upfront or hourly fees. You will pay a percentage of the compensation the lawyer recovers for you – and nothing at all if they are unsuccessful.
Can I Pursue Compensation in Illinois If I Was Partially Responsible For My Airbag Injuries?
Illinois uses modified comparative fault to allocate liability. If you contributed to your injuries, you can still recover partial compensation, though it will be reduced in proportion to your share of the blame. However, if your share of fault exceeds 50%, you are barred altogether from a financial recovery.
What Is the Deadline To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, you must typically file a personal injury lawsuit within two years after a car accident. However, there could be exceptions. It’s essential to consult an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal right to financial recovery.
What Should I Do After Suffering Airbag Injuries in a Car Accident?
Call 911 to notify the authorities and request an ambulance if necessary. Report your injuries to the officers investigating your crash to ensure the accident report includes details about them. From there, visit a doctor or hospital for proper treatment if you weren’t transported from the accident scene. The accident report and medical records will help prove your airbag injuries. Here, you can learn more about what to do after a vehicle collision.
Contact Our Chicago Airbag Injury Lawyers For a Free Case Evaluation
You are entitled to compensation for the injuries you sustain when a negligent driver hits you, including those caused by airbags. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the compensation you can seek under Illinois law.
