Airbags are generally thought of as a helpful safety device in a vehicle. Often, they get credit for saving lives and preventing serious injuries. However, on occasion in Ohio, an airbag may be responsible for causing a serious injury. Do keep in mind that Resus explains most often airbag injuries result from the person not using a seat belt properly or sitting too close to the airbag. Still, there are some common serious injuries possible due to an airbag deploying in an accident.
One serious injury is to your cardiovascular system. Injury may occur to your heart from the airbag hitting you in the chest. It could cause cuts, breaks or tears and bruises to your heart and its structures. Related to this are injuries to your ribs, including fractures.
Facial injuries are another concern. Because of the speed of the airbag as it deploys, there is a possibility of bruising and injuries to the eyes. If you wear glasses, you may have a higher risk for these injuries.
Perhaps the most serious injuries from airbags come from those that the manufacturers recalled. The most recent case is Takata air bags that would release shrapnel from the bags. This posed serious risks to anyone in the vehicle if the airbag deployed.
Again, you have to realize that in most cases, an airbag does more good than harm. It usually helps to cushion the impact rather than hurt your body, but you do need to use it properly, meaning using it in conjunction with a seatbelt and sitting far enough away from it. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
