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Being in a car crash can make the person sustain simple or more severe injuries. Regardless of the case, the victim should know what to do and hire a lawyer to help them through the process.
What Is an Airbag Injury?
Airbag injuries are the ones victim sustain when airbags deploy in a car accident. Although they're safety devices that exist solely to protect people, they can cause harm as well, and when it happens, it usually means the crash was moderate to severe.
Different factors can influence the kind of airbag injury the person sustains. If the sensors don't activate in time and the device doesn't deploy, the victim could suffer a lot of harm, even if the airbag works later.
Airbag deployment should happen as soon as sensors detect an impact. However, in many car accidents, it doesn't happen.
If airbags don't deploy, it could be due to different reasons. A vehicle defect is one of the most frequent causes. To prevent it, car owners should get help from a lawyer to determine if their model got a recall.
On some occasions, people buy used cars with airbags that never got replaced in the first place. Therefore, a technician must check out the vehicle - they may detect potential issues.
Lastly, airbags may not deploy if sensors detect that no one is sitting there, which could happen if there's a child in the front seat. Contact Powell Law for questions like, "Why does insurance ask if airbags deployed?"
Parents should never have their kids sitting in the front. If there's an accident, the child may sustain severe injuries, even if the airbag deploys. In some cases, it could be lethal.
The Most Common Injuries
Although there are different reasons why an airbag may not deploy, serious injuries can happen even if it does.
When someone is behind the steering wheel, they should remember they're always at risk, even if they're doing everything they can to be safe. No one knows if they'll encounter a negligent person. Unfortunately, they're everywhere, and they may hurt others.
If an airbag deploys, there are some common injuries the person may suffer. Here are some examples:
Broken bones
Spinal fractures
Cardiac injuries
Soft tissue damage
Chest injuries
Contusions, abrasions, and lacerations
Internal injuries
Sprained ankles
Facial injuries
Whiplash or soft tissue damage
Neck, back, and shoulder pain
To prevent airbag injuries, the person must make sure they're always wearing a seat belt. In fact, if they're not and later want to file a negligence claim, the insurance company may reduce their settlement.
Even though there's no way to predict whether or not a car accident will happen, wearing a seat belt helps mitigate the effect of airbag injuries. It keeps the vehicle occupants close to their sitting spot, and if there's an impact, it won't be as significant on their bodies.
Car occupants should always wear their seat belts properly. It must be across their chests and laps, not adjusted in any other way or tucked under them. Lastly, children must be in the back.
What the Person Behind the Steering Wheel Must Do
If someone sustains severe airbag injuries, they may feel very confused at first. They'll be in pain too, and if there are children around, they could be in complete panic.
In many cases, common airbag injuries are not fatal. However, the person should still know what to do, stay as calm as possible, and get help. The following are the steps they must follow:
Call an Ambulance
Firstly, if someone sustained an airbag injury, they must call an ambulance. It doesn't matter whether or not they think is severe.
Sometimes, airbag deployment can cause injuries that the person doesn't see or feel at first. Therefore, calling an ambulance is vital because the victim will get medical assistance as soon as possible.
If the person is in too much pain to move, they shouldn't. Instead, they must call for help or wait for someone else to come to their aid.
Moving could cause injuries to worsen. Therefore, victims should be very careful and stay there.
Follow the Advice of Medical Professionals
Once the ambulance arrives, victims should do what doctors tell them. In some cases, people may not want to go to appointments or follow their orders, but they should.
If the person's car accident was due to someone else's negligence, they'll most likely have to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer and file a claim.
Therefore, they'll need evidence to prove that the other party was negligent and caused the crash. Following doctors' orders and attending appointments will be powerful proof that lawyers can use in court.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
As the article previously mentioned, victims will have to hire a personal injury attorney if they want to prove that the other party was negligent.
Auto accident attorneys will help victims gather testimonials and all types of evidence. They'll also guide them through the process, suggest the best options, and negotiate to get a fair settlement.
Gather Evidence
Lawyers and victims will work together to gather useful evidence for the case. They'll have to find testimonials, doctor notes, etc., that prove that the person sustained severe injuries due to the person's actions.
The process is much smoother if the airbag deployment occurred because the person will most likely be able to prove that the accident was moderate to severe. With the help of a lawyer, things will be more straightforward as well.
File a Claim
Lastly, the victim will file a claim, and a court of law will decide whether or not they'll receive compensation.
If the court says the victim should get a settlement, the money will serve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs.
It's essential that victims hire lawyers as soon as possible when they're in an accident because they should prevent insurers from taking hold of the car. If they do, the person could lose all the evidence they have.
Car crash lawyers will know how to handle the situation and suggest the best alternative to get favorable outcomes.
Final Thoughts
A person can sustain a serious injury if they're in a car crash and the airbag deploys. Therefore, knowing what to do and hiring a specialized lawyer to help them is essential.