When an airbag fails to deploy during a crash, the consequences can be catastrophic. Airbags are designed to reduce injury severity during collisions, especially in frontal or side-impact crashes. When they don’t function as expected, serious harm can occur. But is a non-deploying airbag enough to justify legal action? In certain cases, the answer may be yes.
Personal injury attorneys can help evaluate whether the failure was due to a defect and whether legal recovery may be available. Below, we explore when airbags are supposed to deploy, how liability is determined, what evidence is necessary, and what legal options may be available under product liability law.
When Are Airbags Supposed to Deploy?
Not all collisions will trigger airbag deployment. Airbags are programmed to deploy only under specific crash conditions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal airbags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal crashes—roughly equivalent to hitting a solid barrier at 8 to 14 mph. Side airbags may deploy at even lower speeds, depending on the vehicle’s design and the type of impact.
Factors affecting airbag deployment include:
- Angle and direction of the collision
- Speed at the time of impact
- Occupant weight and seat position
- Type and location of crash sensors
If a crash meets federal deployment thresholds—such as those defined by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 208)—and the airbag does not deploy, the failure may warrant closer legal investigation.
Legal Grounds for Holding the Manufacturer Accountable
In the U.S., airbag-related claims often fall under product liability law. Vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers may be held legally responsible if the failure to deploy is tied to a defect. Common legal grounds include:
- Design Defect: A flaw in how the airbag system was engineered, such as poor sensor placement or insufficient deployment logic.
- Manufacturing Defect: A problem in the assembly process, such as faulty wiring, damaged sensors, or improperly installed modules.
- Failure to Warn: Inadequate instructions or failure to disclose known risks, such as airbag non-deployment under certain common conditions.
It is not necessary to prove negligence. Under strict liability, a manufacturer may be held accountable if the defect caused the injury, even if they followed federal design standards. Legal precedent, including Geier v. Honda and Williamson v. Mazda, confirms that compliance with federal safety rules does not automatically protect companies from liability.
Evidence Used in Defective Airbag Lawsuits
Airbag cases rely heavily on technical evidence. Prompt action is key because critical data may be lost if the vehicle is repaired or scrapped. A thorough investigation may include:
- Crash data retrieval from the event data recorder (black box)
- Airbag control module diagnostics
- Vehicle inspection by qualified engineers
- Photographs of crash damage and interior
- Recall history for the vehicle or airbag system
- Witness statements and police reports
An experienced auto defect attorney can coordinate these efforts and consult forensic experts to determine whether the airbag system should have deployed.
Real Outcomes & Recall Context
Defective airbags have led to some of the largest automotive recalls in history. The Takata airbag recall involved over 100 million vehicles worldwide due to defective inflators that could rupture and cause serious injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries have been linked to these defects.
More recently, NHTSA has investigated ARC and Delphi inflators tied to additional airbag failures across 52 million airbag inflators in tens of millions of vehicles. In one case, a Florida jury awarded $3 million in a lawsuit involving a defective Takata airbag that exploded improperly, sending metal shrapnel into the victim.
These outcomes underscore the importance of manufacturer accountability and the role product liability plays in protecting consumer safety.
What Injuries Can Result from Airbag Non-Deployment?
Airbags are designed to reduce the force of impact and prevent serious trauma. When they fail to deploy, the driver and passengers are left unprotected, and injuries can be severe. These may include:
According to the Mayo Clinic, even low-speed collisions without proper restraint systems or airbags can result in significant whiplash or concussions. Injury attorneys may consider the type, location, and severity of harm when evaluating a potential claim.
The Ammons Law Firm Can Help
Airbag failure cases require a firm that understands both the legal and technical complexities of automotive product liability. At The Ammons Law Firm, our team works with engineering experts, crash reconstructionists, and medical professionals to build strong legal claims.
If your airbag failed to deploy and you were seriously injured, you may benefit from consulting an attorney. Legal recovery may be available if a defect is proven. A personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help preserve critical evidence before it’s lost.
A defective airbag lawsuit may involve multiple parties, including the vehicle manufacturer and airbag supplier. An auto defect attorney can guide you through the process.
Learn more about filing a Defective Airbag Lawsuit and how our Product Liability Attorneys assist clients in auto defect cases.
Contact The Ammons Law Firm today to talk to a Personal Injury Attorney and get the guidance you need to protect your future.
