How Serious Does a Collision Have To Be for Airbags To Deploy?

September 17, 2024 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident

With a count of 14.4 fatal car accidents per 100,000 drivers, a Forbes study ranked Tampa in the top 10 worst cities for drivers. No matter what speed you’re traveling at, getting into a collision can be a scary experience. In many cases, the injuries sustained from serious crashes are life-altering.

Fortunately, modern vehicles tend to have several features designed to reduce life-threatening injuries and death, one of which is airbags. The airbag system works by deploying and inflating pillow-like cushions from the steering wheel, dashboard, roof, and seats to protect drivers and passengers from hitting the interior parts of the car.

Still, you may be wondering how hard the impact has to be before the airbag system will be triggered. Do they work in more moderate crashes, where injuries can be just as serious?

It’s important to know these answers before you get on the road. Learn about when airbags deploy so that you can have an idea of what to expect when the unexpected occurs.

Deploying Airbags in “Moderate” Car Crashes

Typically, a car can’t sense whether an accident is moderate, severe, or not serious at all. Airbags simply respond to a programmed algorithm that detects a combination of speed and forward motion — not necessarily the severity of an accident.

The car can identify when a rigid object hits it. If it detects such an impact at speeds between 10 and 16 miles per hour (depending on a number of factors), the airbags will usually deploy.

To some, these might seem like very low speeds for such a dramatic reaction from your car. When you are driving along the road, these speeds are considered quite slow.

However, because of the force created on impact, experts have calculated that experiencing a car crash at just 30 miles per hour is akin to falling off of a multi-story building or sustaining a thrust from a 3.5-ton elephant.

Factors That Can Affect Airbag Deployment in a Collision

Several variables can determine when and how your airbags deploy in a collision, including:

Vehicle Manufacturer: Automakers design airbag systems to deploy at different speeds and levels of impact or motion detection
Impact Speed and Angle: Side collisions need higher speeds for deployment, while rollovers or side impacts at steep or shallow angles may not trigger it
Occupant Size: Airbag systems may not work if it detects someone of small stature

All of these factors not only help determine whether airbags will deploy in an accident but also which airbags will inflate.

What Happens When an Airbag System Doesn’t Work?

Failing airbags can lead to life-threatening injuries, damaging everything from your brain to your neck and back and your lower extremities. The most important thing is to find out why the airbag didn’t deploy.

You may have bought a used vehicle where the owner didn’t replace the airbags after they deployed in a previous crash. In that case, you should have been warned. If a manufacturing defect caused them to fail, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for it.

Otherwise, the reason for the lack of airbag deployment could simply be the nature of the accident. In some cases, airbags may not deploy in side collisions because the system is designed to detect forward motion or because the side impact did not happen at a speed or force that triggered the system.

Understanding Your Legal Options After Airbag Deployment Failure

Airbag failure can have serious consequences. If you have been involved in an accident where the airbag system didn’t protect you, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a personal injury attorney right away. They’ll be able to help you investigate what happened in the accident and determine whether anyone should be held liable for your injuries. If so, an attorney will fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Tampa today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196