While airbags do tend to cause injuries, it is important to keep this notion in perspective. According to data from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 96% of all airbag injuries are classified as minor.
This is not to say that airbag injuries absolutely cannot be severe, they certainly can. However, it is much more likely that the impacts of a serious car accident will produce severe injuries as opposed to airbag deployment.
With that said, read on to learn more about common airbag injuries.
#1 - Head and Neck Injuries
Some of the most common head and neck injuries sustained as a result of airbag deployment include:
- Facial trauma
- Temporomandibular joint injury
- Decapitation
- Cervical spine fractures
- Eye injuries, such as:
- Orbital fractures
- Retinal detachment
- Lens rupture
Additionally, when comparing crashes with airbags versus those without them, people more often sustain brain injuries than skull fractures when airbags are deployed. This may indicate that airbags are more effective for preventing skull damage than brain tissue harm.
#2 - Torso Injuries
Common chest injuries due to airbag deployment include:
- Rib fractures
- Bilateral pneumothorax
- Aortic transection
- Hearth valve injury
- Cardiac rupture
- Abdominal injury
- Occult injuries
- Thoracolumbar spine injuries
#3 - Upper Limb
The shoulders and forearms are the most common upper limb areas to sustain injuries in crashes with airbag deployment. Fractures or dislocations are the most likely injuries to occur in this area of the body.
#4 - Other Injuries
An array of other, miscellaneous injuries have been linked with airbag deployment, including:
- Acoustic damage
- Premature rupture of the membranes in pregnancy
- Burns
We Help Injured Victims
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash through no fault of your own, our team may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Don’t delay—reach out to see how we can help you now.
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