Airbag Defect Litigation Involving California Vehicles 

Airbags are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury during a collision, but defective airbag systems can instead cause devastating harm. When an airbag fails to deploy, deploys too late, deploys improperly, or ruptures violently, the resulting injuries may be catastrophic. Our firm focuses on complex airbag defect litigation nationwide and works with experienced local co-counsel in jurisdictions where injuries occur, subject to applicable court approval.

Vehicles operated in California have been involved in incidents where defective airbags caused serious or fatal injuries. Determining whether an airbag defect contributed to an injury often requires careful review of crash circumstances, vehicle components, and medical documentation.

Evaluating Whether an Airbag Defect May Be Involved

Assessing a potential airbag defect typically involves questions such as:

• Was an individual injured during an airbag deployment or failure?
  • Do medical records document the injuries sustained?
  • Is there available documentation of the collision, such as photographs or a police report?
  • Did the airbag fail to deploy, deploy late, partially inflate, or rupture?

Even if the answers to some of these questions are unclear, further review may still be warranted. Airbag defect cases often involve technical evidence that is not immediately apparent after a crash.

Airbag Regulations and Manufacturer Responsibility

Under California law, it is unlawful to sell or lease a vehicle with a nonfunctional airbag, and federal law has required functional airbags in passenger vehicles for decades. When a manufacturer places a defective airbag system into the market, it may be held legally responsible for injuries caused by that defect, regardless of where the manufacturer is located.

Common Questions About Airbag Defect Litigation

What determines the value of an airbag defect claim?
Compensation depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, required medical treatment, long-term impairment, and financial losses. There is no universal settlement amount, and each situation must be evaluated individually.

Are settlement amounts for airbag failures publicly available?
Most airbag defect matters resolve privately, and settlement values are rarely disclosed. The focus in any case is whether the evidence supports responsibility for the injuries suffered.

Is there an upfront cost to discuss an airbag defect matter?
Our firm evaluates airbag defect matters without upfront cost. Whether a claim may proceed depends on the facts, evidence, and applicable law.

Discussing Airbag Defect Litigation

Our practice is devoted to handling airbag defect cases on a national level, frequently in coordination with local counsel where permitted. If you have questions about injuries involving an airbag deployment or failure in a vehicle operated in California, we can review the available information and explain the general legal options that may apply.

Attorney David P. Willis is licensed in Texas and New York and works with local counsel in other jurisdictions where permitted by law. Consultations are confidential, and there is no cost to discuss whether an airbag defect may have played a role in an injury.