You can get compensation for an airbag injury, but the process may be difficult, especially if you’re dealing with physical pain and other accident-related challenges. Fortunately, a skilled attorney can help you pursue the damages you’re owed.
A Tallahassee car accident lawyer can investigate your accident, review important details, and determine if you have grounds for an airbag injury claim. Hire an attorney today to learn more about your legal options and find out if you can get compensation for an airbag injury.
When Can You Get Compensation for an Airbag Injury?
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to an airbag deployment, you might be wondering, “Can I get compensation for an airbag injury?” The good news is that there are several situations where you may be able to seek damages for injuries caused by airbag deployment.
Hire an attorney if you’ve suffered airbag-related injuries in one of the following situations:
After a Car Accident
Airbags deploy during car accidents as a safety precaution. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), airbags significantly reduce the risk of a fatality in head-on and side-impact collisions. While airbags can save your life in a car accident, they can also result in injuries during the collision.
If you’ve been hurt in a situation like this, you may have a chance to seek damages from the driver who caused your accident. An attorney can investigate your collision and gather the evidence required to hold the at-fault driver liable for your airbag injuries.
After an Airbag Malfunction
Airbags can cause injuries when they function correctly. However, some of these safety devices malfunction, resulting in additional injuries. Malfunctions often occur due to a faulty trigger or sensor in the airbag mechanism. If a faulty airbag led to your injury, you might be wondering if you can get compensation for an airbag malfunction injury.
In this situation, a product liability lawyer from Florida may help you file a claim against the car manufacturer or the company that produced the defective airbag. If your claim is successful, you could receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and more.
How to Get Compensation From the At-Fault Driver for an Airbag Injury
Florida’s car insurance laws allow you to pursue compensation for an airbag injury from the insurance company. If the airbag caused you to sustain severe injuries, you might also have a chance to file a claim against the driver who caused the injury.
However, you may only have a legal opportunity to move forward with your claim if a lawyer can demonstrate the following elements:
- The other party owed you a duty of care
- They violated their duty of care
- Their actions directly led to your injuries
For example, let’s say another driver ran through a red light and T-boned your vehicle, causing the airbags to go off. In the accident, you sustained severe injuries, including a broken nose from the airbag. In this situation, you could have a chance to file a lawsuit against the driver who struck you, allowing you to seek damages to cover your losses.
A personal injury attorney can gather evidence to prove that the other party caused your injuries and losses. They’ll conduct a thorough investigation of the crash and work hard to get compensation for your airbag injury.
How to Get Compensation for Injuries Caused by Airbag Defects
Cases involving airbag injuries caused by a malfunction work differently in Florida. These defects can occur during or outside of an accident. For example, some defects cause an airbag to deploy without an impact.
Other defects cause airbags to deploy in such a way that they cause burns or significant scarring. They may also fail to deploy, resulting in more severe injuries during a crash because they did not provide protection.
Manufacturers sometimes catch these problems early and issue a recall. However, an airbag repaired in a recall can still malfunction. In this situation, a product liability lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your airbag injury. Your attorney must establish the following elements to win your case:
- Your airbag had a dangerous defect
- The airbag’s defect caused or contributed to your injuries
- The defect resulted in financial losses or emotional damages
What Kind of Compensation Can You Get for an Airbag Injury?
If you’ve suffered an airbag injury, you’re probably wondering what forms of compensation you can get from an airbag injury claim. An attorney can work with you to identify the damages you’re owed and calculate the value of your claim.
Depending on the specific injuries and losses you’ve incurred, a winning claim may yield any of the following damages:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Hospitalization, medical tests, and procedures
- Physical therapy and medications
- Time off at work
- Lost earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
The amount of damages you receive can vary based on the severity of the injuries caused by the airbag. A lawyer can offer more in-depth information on the forms of compensation you’re owed and how much you should receive overall.
What Injuries Can You Get from an Airbag?
Airbags do not always cause the same injuries. However, many people end up facing similar health outcomes. Luckily, an experienced lawyer can pursue compensation for any of the following airbag injuries:
- Fractures around their hands, wrists, or fingers
- Burns or lacerations on the face, neck, or arms
- Injuries to the eye
- Chest injuries
- Bruising
If you sustain injuries from an airbag, make sure you seek medical care quickly. Getting help quickly can prove that the airbag’s deployment caused your injuries, which can help you secure funds to cover your losses.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from an Airbag Injury?
Airbag injuries do not all heal at the same rate. For example, it may take a few weeks to recover from cuts and bruises, while broken bones can take months to heal. Therefore, it’s challenging to estimate a recovery time for these accidents.
An airbag accident lawyer in Florida can work with your medical provider to determine how long you’ll have to take off from work to recover. Your attorney can use this information to pursue the compensation you need to replace your lost wages and make up for any decreased earning capacity you’ve been burdened with.
It’s important to note that you do not have to wait until you recover to start building a claim. In fact, you may want to begin working with a lawyer immediately after your accident, as Florida has a statute of limitations for both personal injury and product liability claims.
Filing Deadline for Airbag Injury Claims in Florida
If you plan on taking legal action for your airbag injury, you’ll want to do so promptly. That’s because the state of Florida has a statute of limitations that applies to injury suits. According to the law, you have two years from the date of the collision to sue the at-fault driver.
If you intend to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the airbag, you will also have a two-year time limit. Failing to abide by the statute of limitations can lock you out of getting the damage you’re owed. Reach out to an attorney today to get an early start on your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Airbag Injury Lawyer
Sustaining an airbag injury in an accident can be incredibly painful and expensive. Fortunately, the team at Fasig | Brooks is here to help you come back stronger. Our team of attorneys has won over $1 billion for injury victims like yourself, and we’re prepared to pursue a hefty settlement for you.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted attorney. They’ll meet with you to discuss your case, answer any questions you have, and determine if you can get compensation for an airbag injury. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
