The impact comes without warning. In a fraction of a second, your airbag deploys at over 200 mph—saving you from hitting the steering wheel but leaving you with chemical burns across your face, a fractured nose, and blurred vision in one eye. What was designed to protect you has caused a new set of problems requiring extensive medical treatment.
While airbags prevent thousands of fatalities each year, these safety devices can also cause significant injuries. If you've suffered airbag injuries in a Seattle car accident caused by another driver's negligence, Seattle personal injury lawyer Preet Kode may be able to help you get compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Common Types of Airbag Injuries in Seattle Car Accidents
When an airbag deploys during a collision, it creates a high-velocity impact that can cause various injuries despite preventing more serious harm. Understanding these injuries is critical when pursuing full compensation for your accident-related expenses.
Facial Fractures and Trauma
The nose, being the most prominent facial feature, is particularly vulnerable to facial fractures, but cheekbones, eye sockets, and jawbones can also be broken. These injuries often require specialized treatment from maxillofacial surgeons and may necessitate multiple surgical procedures.
Recovery from facial fractures typically involves several weeks or months of healing time, during which you may experience difficulty eating, speaking, or returning to work. This means that the economic impact of these injuries extends beyond medical costs to include lost wages and potentially diminished future earning capacity.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns result from the substances used to rapidly inflate airbags during deployment. These chemicals can cause painful first, second, or even third-degree burns to exposed skin on your face, neck, and arms.
The powdery residue left on the skin after airbag deployment can cause additional irritation if not promptly and properly cleaned. This residue may contain sodium hydroxide or sodium azide, chemicals that continue to damage tissue until removed.
Treatment for airbag burns often requires specialized care from burn centers, and severe cases might necessitate skin grafting procedures. Insurance adjusters frequently undervalue burn injuries by failing to account for both the physical pain and emotional suffering associated with permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries from airbag deployment can range from minor corneal abrasions to severe trauma resulting in partial or complete vision loss. The force of impact can cause detached retinas, lens damage, or even eye rupture in extreme cases. Treating airbag-related eye injuries typically requires consultation with ophthalmologists and possibly multiple surgical interventions.
Many Seattle drivers and passengers experience temporary or permanent vision changes following airbag deployment. Vision impairment can significantly impact your ability to work, drive, and enjoy daily activities, making it crucial to include these quality-of-life factors when calculating damages for your injury claim.
Chest and Thoracic Injuries
Chest injuries from airbag deployment can include bruising, fractured ribs, and in severe cases, damage to the sternum or clavicle. These injuries may be particularly dangerous for elderly individuals or those with preexisting cardiac conditions. Additionally, for people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, airbag deployment can trigger severe exacerbations requiring intensive medical intervention and possibly resulting in long-term complications.
The force of airbag deployment against the chest can also cause internal injuries, including bruising to the heart (myocardial contusion) or lung damage. These conditions might not present immediate symptoms but can develop into serious health concerns in the days following an accident.
Hearing Damage
The explosive sound of airbag deployment—which can exceed 170 decibels—can cause temporary or permanent hearing damage. Many accident victims report persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus) following airbag deployment.
Treatment for airbag-related hearing damage often requires consultation with audiologists and may necessitate hearing aids or other assistive devices. The cost of these interventions and their maintenance adds to the overall financial impact of your injuries.
The psychological effects of sudden hearing loss or chronic tinnitus can be profound, affecting your ability to work, communicate, and enjoy social activities—all factors that should be considered when valuing your claim.
How Our Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Airbag Injury Claim
Insurance companies will often attempt to minimize payouts by questioning the severity of airbag injuries or suggesting they resulted from preexisting conditions. With Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode as your advocate, you'll have someone who understands these tactics and knows how to counter them effectively during negotiations.
Washington State's statute of limitations generally gives you three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it's advisable to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure evidence is preserved and your rights are protected.
