Airbag Injury Litigation Involving Pennsylvania Vehicles

Defective airbags can cause serious or life-altering injuries when they fail to deploy, deploy improperly, or rupture violently during a collision. While airbags are designed to protect vehicle occupants, design and manufacturing defects have resulted in widespread recalls and injuries nationwide. Our firm focuses on complex airbag defect litigation on a national level and works with experienced local co-counsel in jurisdictions where injuries occur, subject to applicable court approval.

Vehicles operated in Pennsylvania have been involved in incidents where airbag malfunctions contributed to significant injuries. Determining whether an airbag defect played a role often requires careful evaluation of crash circumstances, vehicle components, and medical evidence.

Types of Injuries Commonly Associated With Airbag Defects

Airbag-related injuries can take many forms, including:

• Arm injuries, such as fractures, burns, nerve damage, and soft-tissue trauma
  • Chest injuries, including rib fractures, lung injuries, and chest wall trauma
  • Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or damage to vital organs
  • Facial injuries, including eye injuries, jaw trauma, burns, and lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and more severe brain trauma

These injuries often result in significant medical expenses, lost income, and long-term physical or emotional consequences. In some cases, airbag-related injuries may lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability.

Common Questions About Airbag-Related Injuries

What qualifies as a serious airbag injury?
Any airbag-related injury requiring medical treatment may be considered serious. Many such injuries involve long-term recovery, permanent impairment, or lasting complications.

How long does recovery from airbag injuries take?
Recovery time varies depending on the nature and severity of the injury. Some injuries heal within weeks, while others may affect an individual for years or even permanently.

At what speed do airbags typically deploy?
Airbags are generally designed to deploy at vehicle speeds ranging from approximately 8 to 28 miles per hour, depending on crash dynamics. Deployment occurs extremely rapidly, often within a fraction of a second.

How are airbag injury claims evaluated?
Airbag injury matters often require detailed investigation to determine whether a defect contributed to the injury. This process may involve review of medical records, crash data, vehicle components, and applicable safety standards.

Discussing Airbag Defect Litigation

Our practice is devoted to handling airbag defect matters nationwide, frequently in coordination with local counsel where permitted. If an airbag-related injury occurred in a vehicle operated in Pennsylvania, the circumstances may warrant further review to determine whether a defect played a role.

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 contributed to an injury.