Airbags save lives during a crash, but their explosive force can also cause severe injuries. The sudden release of gas, heat, and fabric can sometimes result in serious airbag burns. When these injuries happen because of a manufacturer defect or a failure to warn consumers, injured drivers may have the right to file a lawsuit. However, many may wonder whether burns from airbags justify a lawsuit.
Can airbags burn you? (and why it happens)
Yes, airbags can and do burn vehicle occupants. During a crash, a sensor triggers a rapid chemical reaction to inflate the bag in milliseconds. This violent process releases hot gases and chemical dust into the cabin. The speed of the expanding nylon fabric, combined with this heat and chemical residue, creates a high risk of burning anyone sitting near the steering wheel or dashboard.
Types of airbag burns and common injuries
The unique inflation process of airbags causes three distinct kinds of trauma.
Chemical burns from airbags
The deployment system uses chemicals such as sodium azide to create gas, which can produce byproducts like sodium hydroxide. When the bag vents these alkaline chemicals onto the skin, they cause an immediate reaction. Symptoms include severe redness, irritation, blistering and deep tissue damage.
Thermal burns
The rapid chemical reaction inside the module generates extreme heat. While these burns often remain minor, they can cause deep second- or third-degree damage if a driver’s face or hands rest too close to the vent ports during inflation.
Friction burns (abrasions)
The airbag fabric expands at nearly 200 miles per hour. When this coarse nylon strikes and forcefully rubs against exposed skin, it acts like sandpaper. This rapid expansion leaves deep abrasions commonly known as rug burn.
When can you file an airbag burn lawsuit?
Moving from medical treatment to legal action requires looking closely at the cause of the injury. To determine if you have a valid claim, the law distinguishes between the natural consequences of a crash and harm caused by corporate negligence:
Normal injury
Airbags deploy with violent force to save lives. Courts generally consider minor friction burns or temporary redness an acceptable consequence if the airbag functioned exactly as intended during a severe crash.
Negligence
A lawsuit may be justified when an airbag defect causes unnecessary or excessive harm. You may have a product liability claim if your injuries resulted from:
- Improper deployment during a minor, low-speed fender bender
- Design or manufacturing defects that improperly directed extreme heat, explosive force or corrosive gases onto your skin
- Failure to warn consumers about known deployment risks or a delay in recalling unstable chemical propellants
Identifying the difference between an expected injury and a manufacturer’s failure is the first critical step in building a strong legal case.
Who can be held liable for airbag burns?
Product liability claims hold corporations accountable for putting dangerous items on the market. Depending on the exact defect, a victim might name several defendants in a lawsuit. The vehicle manufacturer often bears responsibility for the overall assembly. The specific airbag manufacturer or the third-party parts supplier that provided the faulty chemical propellant could also face liability for the resulting harm.
What compensation can you recover for airbag burns?
Successful claims help victims cover the high cost of recovery. Injured drivers can seek compensation for several types of damages:
- Medical expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, and skin grafts.
- Lost wages: Income lost while the victim cannot work.
- Pain and suffering: Financial recovery for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Long-term scarring or disability: Compensation for permanent disfigurement or lasting physical limits.
Holding the responsible parties accountable provides the resources needed to heal.
Speak with an attorney about an airbag burn lawsuit
Understanding your legal options early helps preserve critical evidence, such as the vehicle’s deployment module. State laws impose strict time limits for filing a product liability claim. Those facing permanent scars or high medical bills often benefit from requesting a case evaluation with a qualified attorney to review the facts. Discussing the crash details with a legal professional helps clarify the right path forward.