If an airbag deploys properly, it comes between the driver and other vehicle occupants and hard objects in the vehicle, such as the steering wheel. To do this efficiently and avoid causing further injuries, the timing of when an airbag deploys is critical.
There are several things that can go wrong, however, including:
Faulty sensors: If your airbags are triggered too late or not at all, it could cause serious injuries.
Deteriorating airbags –Newer vehicles today claim that their airbags will last for the life of the vehicle. However, depending on the year, make or model of your vehicle, you may need to have your airbags inspected periodically.
Where the vehicle was struck: Depending on the speed a vehicle was traveling and where it was struck, some airbags may get triggered while others may not.
No airbags deploy: Rarely, all of a vehicle’s airbags may fail to deploy in a collision.
Gasses or chemicals released from the airbag: Some vehicle occupants may be especially sensitive to the gasses or chemicals released by an airbag. For these individuals, a deploying airbag could either lead to or worsen respiratory issues.
Victims could get hit by flying shrapnel: If shrapnel flies out from the airbag’s propellant canister, it could strike not only the driver, but also other occupants.
Eye or facial injuries: If an airbag deploys at the wrong time or the driver or passenger is positioned too close to the airbag, it could cause eye or facial injuries.