Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Airbag Safety Tips

Thousands of people have been injured or killed by a device that was originally designed to provide additional protection to users: airbags. Airbags can injure and kill people under normal operational conditions and due to non-deployment in a crash, and deployment in low-speed crashes. 

What can you do to try to minimize your risk of injury or death due to an airbag? You can take several precautions to protect yourself and passengers.

1) Children under the age of 12 should sit in the backseat. 

Airbags explode with rapid force and are designed for average-sized adults. Of those injured by airbags, children and infants outnumber adults. 

2) Never put an infant seat in the front seat. 

Passenger airbags can kill an infant even when their car seat is rear-facing in the front seat. 

3) Sit as far away from the airbag as possible. 

Passengers should position their seat as far away from the dashboard as possible. Injuries to the eyes and burns from the gases in the airbag are more likely the closer you sit to the device. 

4) Wear your seatbelt.

Airbags are far more effective if you're wearing a shoulder restraint or seat belt, and the seat belt will help you maintain a safe distance from the airbag should it deploy. 

5) Minimize driving if you're in the late stages of pregnancy.

Women in the later stages of pregnancy should be aware of the risk of fetal injury from a frontal airbag deployment. 

If you, or someone you love, has been injured by an airbag, contact the Law Office of Kiley Law Group today at 1-800-410-2769. A lawyer knowledgeable in product liability can help you secure compensation and other remedies for your injuries. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case for FREE.