Arizona Airbag Injuries: An Overview of This Life-Saving Yet Sometimes Dangerous Technology

While airbags have saved thousands of lives across Arizona and nationwide since their introduction, these life-saving devices can sometimes cause significant injuries during deployment. Understanding the complex nature of airbag injuries, their prevention, and your legal rights is essential for every Arizona driver and passenger.

The Dual Nature of Airbags: Life-Saving Yet Potentially Harmful

Airbags deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph—faster than the blink of an eye—creating a protective barrier between vehicle occupants and hard surfaces during a collision. This rapid deployment, while necessary to prevent serious injuries, can itself cause harm.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that frontal airbags saved 50,457 lives nationwide between 1987 and 2017. However, the agency also acknowledges that improper deployment or positioning can lead to injuries ranging from minor abrasions to life-threatening trauma.

Common Airbag Injuries Seen in Arizona Emergency Rooms

Arizona emergency physicians report treating various airbag-related injuries, including:

Chemical Burns and Skin Irritation

The chemical propellants that inflate airbags can cause skin irritation and burns, particularly when they come into contact with exposed skin. These chemicals, including sodium azide and nitric acid, can cause painful rashes and burns that require specialized treatment.

Facial Trauma

The force of an airbag striking the face can cause injuries including:

• Facial fractures (particularly nasal fractures)
• Eye injuries (corneal abrasions, retinal detachment)
• Dental damage (broken teeth, jaw fractures)
• Facial lacerations

Chest and Upper Body Injuries

• Broken ribs and sternum fractures
• Lung contusions
• Bruising and abrasions
• Cardiac complications (especially in elderly patients)

Upper Extremity Injuries

• Wrist fractures (particularly common when hands are on the steering wheel)
• Forearm fractures
• Finger and hand injuries
• Shoulder dislocations

Arizona-Specific Airbag Injury Data and Trends

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s crash data indicates that airbag deployment occurs in approximately 40% of injury crashes in the state. While comprehensive airbag injury statistics specifically for Arizona are limited, national trends apply to our state’s drivers and passengers.

Recent reports from Arizona hospitals indicate an increase in airbag injuries related to:

1. Improper positioning: Sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard
2. Defective airbags: Particularly those subject to recent recalls
3. Secondary deployments: Injuries occurring during multi-impact collisions

A recent Arizona Republic investigation revealed that numerous Arizona residents were still driving vehicles with recalled Takata airbags, which have been linked to deaths and serious injuries nationwide due to their tendency to explode with excessive force.

Takata Recall Impact in Arizona

Arizona’s hot climate creates particular risk factors for defective Takata airbags. The extreme desert temperatures can accelerate the degradation of ammonium nitrate, the unstable chemical compound used in these recalled airbags.

According to NHTSA data, Arizona falls within the “high-risk” zone for Takata airbag failures due to its climate. Phoenix residents have reported multiple incidents of metal fragments being propelled through the vehicle cabin upon airbag deployment, causing lacerations and more serious injuries.

Vulnerable Populations: Children and Small-Statured Adults

Children and small-statured adults face heightened risks from airbag deployment. GLG Arizona’s airbag injury resource center emphasizes that:

• Children under 13 should always ride in the back seat
• Front seats should be positioned as far back from the dashboard as possible
• Short drivers should use pedal extenders to maintain a safe 10-inch minimum distance from the steering wheel

Legal Considerations for Arizona Airbag Injury Victims

Arizona’s product liability laws provide important protections for those injured by defective airbags. When airbag injuries occur, several legal scenarios may apply:

Manufacturing Defects

When an airbag’s design is sound but errors occur during production (as in many Takata cases), manufacturers may be strictly liable for resulting injuries. The Arizona Supreme Court has consistently upheld strict liability standards for defective products that cause harm to consumers.

Design Defects

If the fundamental design of the airbag system is flawed, creating unreasonable risks even when manufactured correctly, victims may pursue design defect claims against manufacturers.

Failure to Warn

Manufacturers must provide adequate warnings about proper usage and potential risks associated with airbags. Insufficient warnings can create additional liability separate from the physical defects in the product.

Recent Arizona Airbag Injury Cases

A Phoenix family recently settled a significant claim after their teenage daughter suffered facial fractures and permanent scarring when a side-curtain airbag deployed with excessive force during a minor collision. The East Valley Tribune reported the manufacturer had prior knowledge of deployment calibration issues but failed to issue timely recalls.

In another case highlighted by Tucson legal observers, a driver experienced eye injuries requiring multiple surgeries after metal fragments from a defective airbag inflator penetrated the cabin during deployment. The manufacturer’s failure to properly test airbag components for Arizona’s climate conditions formed a central argument in the successful claim.

Steps to Take After an Airbag Injury in Arizona

If you or a family member has suffered airbag-related injuries in Arizona, the GLG Arizona airbag claims specialists recommend:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries
2. Document everything, including photographs of injuries, the vehicle interior, and airbag deployment pattern
3. Preserve the vehicle and all airbag components as crucial evidence
4. Report the incident to NHTSA’s defect investigation division
5. Check for recalls related to your specific vehicle and airbag system
6. Consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in airbag injury cases

Preventing Airbag Injuries: Safety Recommendations

The Arizona Department of Public Safety recommends these safety measures to minimize airbag injury risks:

• Maintain at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel or dashboard
• Always wear seatbelts properly (airbags are designed as supplemental restraint systems)
• Position children under 13 in back seats, away from airbag deployment zones
• Regularly check for recalls using the NHTSA’s SaferCar app
• Consider airbag on/off switches for those who cannot maintain safe distance (requires physician documentation)

Technological Advances in Airbag Safety

Modern vehicles increasingly feature advanced airbag systems designed to reduce injury risks:

• Dual-stage airbags that adjust deployment force based on crash severity
• Occupant position detection that modifies deployment based on passenger position
• Side-curtain airbags specifically engineered to provide head protection
• Knee airbags that prevent lower extremity injuries

The attorneys at GLG Arizona’s vehicle safety center note that these advanced systems, while generally safer, can still malfunction and cause injuries when defectively designed or manufactured.

Compensation Available for Arizona Airbag Injury Victims

Victims of airbag injuries in Arizona may be entitled to various forms of compensation:

• Medical expenses (immediate and future care)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)

Unlike some states, Arizona places no statutory caps on personal injury damages, allowing full recovery based on the specific circumstances of each case.

Long-Term Health Considerations

Some airbag injuries create long-lasting health challenges:

• Facial scarring may require multiple reconstructive surgeries
• Eye injuries can lead to permanent vision impairment
• Chemical exposure may create respiratory sensitivity
• Hearing loss from the explosive sound of deployment

The medical documentation specialists at GLG Arizona emphasize the importance of long-term medical planning and comprehensive documentation for these potentially lifelong conditions.

Conclusion: Balancing Safety Benefits with Injury Risks

Airbags remain a critical vehicle safety feature that saves countless lives on Arizona roadways each year. However, understanding their potential risks and knowing your rights if injuries occur is equally important.

If you’ve suffered airbag-related injuries in Arizona, consulting with an attorney experienced in these specialized cases can help ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your injuries and prevent similar incidents from affecting others.

With proper positioning, awareness of recalls, and prompt action when injuries occur, Arizona drivers can maximize the life-saving benefits of airbags while minimizing their potential hazards.