Setareh Law
February 9, 2026
Airbags were designed to save lives, yet thousands of people suffer serious injuries from these same safety devices each year. While airbags have prevented countless fatalities in car accidents, they can cause significant harm when they deploy improperly, fail to deploy at all, or deploy with excessive force. The very technology meant to protect drivers and passengers can become a source of devastating injuries ranging from facial fractures and burns to internal trauma and hearing loss.
If you’ve been injured by an airbag in a car accident, Setareh Law can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. With over 60 years of combined experience and more than $250 million recovered for injured clients throughout California, we understand the complexities of product liability and personal injury cases involving defective airbags. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
How Do Airbags Cause Injuries?
Airbags deploy at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, creating a tremendous force designed to cushion impact in a collision. However, this explosive deployment can cause injuries under various circumstances. Occupants sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard may not have adequate space for the airbag to fully inflate before making contact, resulting in forceful impact to the face, chest, or arms.
Children and smaller adults face heightened risks from airbag deployment. The force calibrated for average-sized adults can prove excessive for smaller bodies, leading to severe injuries. Front-seat passengers, particularly those under 13 years old, face the greatest danger from airbag-related injuries, which is why child safety experts recommend keeping children in the back seat until they reach an appropriate age and size.
What Types of Injuries Do Airbags Cause?
The rapid deployment of airbags can result in numerous types of injuries, even in relatively minor collisions. Understanding these potential harms helps injury victims recognize when their symptoms may be airbag-related:
- Facial injuries: broken noses, fractured cheekbones, eye injuries, dental damage, and lacerations from the airbag material or debris
- Chest and torso trauma: broken ribs, internal organ damage, cardiac contusions, and soft tissue injuries from the impact force
- Arm and hand injuries: fractures, dislocations, sprains, and burns when arms are positioned near the airbag deployment zone
- Hearing damage: temporary or permanent hearing loss from the explosive sound of deployment, which can exceed 170 decibels
- Burns and abrasions: chemical burns from airbag propellant and friction burns from the airbag material
- Neck and spine injuries: whiplash, cervical spine damage, and back injuries from the deployment force
These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care. The financial burden of medical bills, combined with lost wages during recovery, can overwhelm accident victims and their families.
When Are Manufacturers Liable for Airbag Injuries?
Automobile manufacturers and airbag suppliers have a legal responsibility to ensure their safety systems function properly and do not cause unnecessary harm. When airbags fail to meet safety standards or contain design defects, manufacturers may be held liable for resulting injuries. Defective airbags that deploy without a collision, fail to deploy during an accident, or deploy with excessive force can form the basis of product liability claims.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has overseen numerous recalls involving defective airbags over the past decade. The massive Takata airbag recall affected tens of millions of vehicles when it was discovered that airbag inflators could explode, sending metal shrapnel into vehicle occupants. Such catastrophic defects demonstrate how safety features can become deadly hazards when manufacturers cut corners or fail to conduct adequate testing.
How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help With Airbag Injury Claims?
Pursuing compensation for airbag injuries requires thorough investigation and compelling evidence. We work with accident reconstruction professionals and product liability consultants to examine your vehicle’s airbag system, analyze crash data, and determine whether the airbag functioned as intended. Product liability cases against major automotive manufacturers demand substantial resources and legal knowledge, which is why having experienced representation makes a significant difference in case outcomes.
Our attorneys handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on recovery. We gather medical records documenting your injuries, calculate the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defense attorneys. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the justice you deserve. We also pursue claims against multiple parties when appropriate, including vehicle manufacturers, airbag suppliers, and potentially negligent drivers who caused the collision.
Contact Setareh Law for Your Free Consultation
When safety features fail and cause you harm, you shouldn’t bear the financial consequences alone. Setareh Law has earned over 400 five-star reviews from satisfied clients throughout California by providing compassionate, aggressive representation in complex personal injury cases. We serve clients across eight office locations and offer home visits when you’re unable to travel due to your injuries.
Our bilingual team speaks Spanish and English, ensuring clear communication throughout your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and fight tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation for your airbag injuries.
