It is often an instinctual reaction at the onset of an accident for the driver to grip the steering wheel in an attempt to brace for the upcoming impact. It is also common for front seat passengers to shield their faces or torsos with both arms, or place their hands on the dashboard to fortify themselves against the crash. All of these actions are typically involuntary, but can be incredibly dangerous with the deployment of the airbag. Many drivers, even in the most minor of accidents, have lost fingers and incurred fractures in their arms and torso as a result of airbag deployment. Some have also received neck injuries that would otherwise have not occurred. Still, some have experienced brain damage because of the impact of the airbag when it was ejected from the steering wheel. Brain damage often leads to respiratory arrest and even cardiac arrest, so as a result, many of the brain injury victims die from their wounds.

Although serious airbag injury can potentially occur to anyone from any demographic, it is a particularly serious problem for women who are shorter than five feet, three inches and small in stature. The problem is prevalent among these petite females because they usually must adjust their seats to sit closer to the steering wheel than men and women of average height and frame. In addition, because victims often have small body structures, the impact of the airbag and the steering wheel cover that holds it in can be even more detrimental for them than it would be for an average sized person, especially at that close proximity.

Injuries such as these have been documented by car makers for years, yet the injuries continue to occur and escalate and more and more people take to the roads. Although these injuries may not be easily prevented, compensation should be available to those who are injured more substantially from the deployment of their vehicle’s airbag than they would be had the airbag not automatically ejected. Airbag Injury lawyers in Los Angeles and San Diego handle cases like these on a regular basis. They are knowledgeable about the laws and regulations regarding vehicle airbag deployment and know how to help you get the settlement award you’ll need to cover your medical costs.