Chicago Airbag Injury Lawyer

Recovering Compensation for Airbag Injuries in Chicago Accidents

A Chicago airbag injury lawyer can help if you or a loved one has suffered harm due to an airbag-related incident.

These cases can involve a range of airbag injuries, including facial fractures, brain injuries, burns, spine injuries, and internal trauma caused by excessive force or improper airbag deployment. In other situations, a defective airbag may fail to deploy during a car crash, leaving vehicle occupants unprotected from impact with the steering wheel or dashboard.

Regardless of the accident or injury type, our experienced car accident attorneys in Chicago can help you recover compensation. Book a free consultation today!

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

With decades of experience representing motor vehicle accident victims, our law firm has achieved millions in successful car accident settlements, such as:

• $2,000,000 for a client who sustained serious injuries in a rollover crash, reaching the full policy limits available.
• $1,600,000 settlement for a rear-end collision victim who required lumbar fusion surgery after suffering a herniated disc.
• $449,000 for a woman who sustained facial trauma when her head hit the windshield during a collision.

Understanding Airbags

Airbags are safety features designed to protect vehicle occupants during an accident by reducing the risk of impact-related injuries. Since 1998, front airbags have been required in all new cars sold in the U.S.

Today’s vehicles often come equipped with multiple types, including side airbags, curtain airbags, and knee airbags, offering added protection to different areas of the body. Airbags are considered “passive” safety devices because they activate automatically and don’t require action from the driver or passenger.

How Do Airbags Work?

Airbags are designed to respond instantly when a car crash occurs. Inside your vehicle are sensors that monitor for sudden stops or impacts. When those sensors detect a collision, they send an electrical signal to the airbag module, which triggers a chemical reaction. This reaction creates a burst of gas, usually nitrogen, that rapidly inflates the airbag.

All of this happens in a matter of milliseconds. The goal is to create a soft barrier between you and hard surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, reducing the risk of airbag injuries and other trauma. The timing is critical—if the airbag deploys even a fraction of a second too early or too late, it may not provide the protection it’s designed for.

Common Airbag Defects

A defective airbag fails to perform its intended function—protecting vehicle occupants during a car crash. These failures can happen for several reasons, including design flaws, manufacturing errors, sensor failure, or improper installation of the airbag system.

When an airbag doesn’t work as it’s supposed to, the risk of injury increases significantly, even in minor automobile accidents. Some of the most common airbag defects include:

• Failure to deploy when a crash occurs;
• Delayed deployment, reducing effectiveness;
• Unexpected or forceful deployment that causes injury;
• Explosions caused by unstable chemicals, such as ammonium nitrate.

How to Know an Airbag Is Defective

Spotting a defective airbag isn’t always straightforward, but there are warning signs that something may be wrong with your airbag system. If you experience any of the following, your vehicle’s airbags may be compromised:

• The airbag doesn’t deploy during a major accident;
• The airbag deploys unexpectedly, even during minor or no-impact events;
• A dashboard warning light stays on, or you receive repeated airbag service alerts;
• After deployment, there’s an unusual noise, smoke, or chemical smell;
• You notice visible damage to the airbag module or receive a recall notice.

To protect yourself and others, check your vehicle for airbag recalls by entering your VIN on the NHTSA recall website. Routine maintenance can also help catch potential problems early.

Common Airbag-Related Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

While airbags are designed to prevent serious injury during a crash, their deployment can still cause severe harm, especially when the airbag is defective, deploys with excessive force, or activates unnecessarily.

Car crash injuries from deployed airbags can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the severity of the automobile accident, the type of defect, and the person’s physical condition.

Children, pregnant women, and elderly passengers are particularly vulnerable to airbag injuries, and even correctly functioning airbags can result in trauma if a person is seated too close or not wearing a seat belt.

Some of the most common airbag-related injuries include burns, both chemical burns from gases used in deployment and friction burns on the chest, arms, or face due to rapid inflation.

Facial injuries, including bruises, abrasions, fractures, and cuts caused by debris or torn airbag fabric, are also frequent.

During close-range deployment, eye injuries may occur from chemical exposure, debris, or pressure.

Chest injuries such as blunt force trauma, fractured ribs, and sternum damage are prevalent in smaller individuals.

Victims often experience fractures to the arms, wrists, or facial bones from bracing during the crash or direct impact.

Neck and spine injuries, including whiplash or severe spinal trauma, may result from abrupt motion or a faulty airbag.

Hearing damage, including tinnitus or temporary/permanent hearing loss, can result from the loud explosion of airbag deployment.

Head injuries like concussions or TBIs may occur when the head strikes a hard surface due to delayed or failed airbag inflation.

Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, are also possible in high-impact crashes or deployment failures.

Additional complications can include soft tissue damage, including strained muscles and ligaments often requiring physical therapy, and respiratory irritation from inhaling the chemicals released during deployment.

Some people also experience skin reactions like redness, dermatitis, or allergic responses due to the materials used in the airbag.

Pregnant women are at great risk, with injuries such as placental abruption, fetal trauma, or other serious complications caused by sudden pressure or impact during deployment.

These injuries can lead to significant medical expenses and long-term health consequences. You may be entitled to financial compensation if you’ve suffered any of these conditions due to a defective airbag, unexpected deployment, or airbag failure.

Why You Need a Chicago Airbag Injury Lawyer

Working with a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer is essential if you’ve suffered injuries from a defective airbag or improper airbag deployment.

Proving liability in airbag injury cases requires a detailed investigation, including expert analysis, recall history, accident reconstruction, and a review of complex design or manufacturing flaws. A lawyer can coordinate medical documentation, gather witness and expert testimony, and build a strong case that connects your injuries directly to the airbag.

Working with someone who understands Illinois personal injury law and federal safety standards for airbag systems and vehicle safety features is also essential. These overlapping regulations can impact how your case is handled and what financial compensation you may be entitled to.

Don’t risk settling for less than you deserve. Before speaking with insurance companies or accepting any offer, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to protect your rights and ensure your personal injury claim is taken seriously.

Liability in Chicago Airbag Injury Cases

Liability for airbag injuries depends on the details of the crash, how the airbag system performed, and whether a defect or malfunction played a role.

• Airbag Manufacturer: The airbag manufacturer can be held liable if the injury results from a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or the use of unsafe materials. Common issues include faulty sensors, defective airbag modules, inflators that explode due to chemical instability (like those seen in Takata airbags), or systems that deploy with excessive force.
• Vehicle Manufacturer: If the car manufacturer used defective components or improperly installed the airbag system during assembly, they may be responsible for the harm caused. Some cases involve airbags that deploy too late, fail to deploy at all or react unpredictably due to poor integration into the vehicle’s safety system.
• Car Dealer or Seller: Auto dealers may share liability if they knowingly sold a car with a recalled or defective airbag or failed to disclose known issues. This includes reselling vehicles with unresolved safety recalls.
• Repair Shop or Technician: If a repair shop or auto technician improperly serviced the airbag system, skipped a required recall replacement, or installed the wrong parts, they could be held accountable. Errors during repairs can render the system useless or even dangerous in the event of an automobile accident.
• Another Driver: If a crash occurs due to another driver’s negligence, they may be held partially liable for injuries sustained when the airbag deploys. This is especially true in cases involving aggressive or distracted driving that led to the collision.

Financial Compensation Available to Airbag Injury Victims

If you’ve been hurt by a defective airbag or one that deployed improperly during an accident, you may seek compensation through a product liability or personal injury claim. These claims are meant to help accident victims recover from the physical, emotional, and financial impact of their injuries, including:

• Medical Expenses: Cover the cost of emergency treatment, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, surgery, medications, and future medical care related to your injuries.
• Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevented you from working, you may be able to recover your lost income. In more serious cases, future lost wages can also be claimed if you cannot return to your previous job or capacity.
• Property Damage: Includes repairs or replacement for your vehicle and any other personal property damaged during the crash.
• Scarring or Disfigurement: Airbags can cause facial injuries, burns, and other wounds that leave lasting scars. Victims may be compensated for permanent changes to their appearance and the psychological impact of disfigurement.
• Pain and Suffering: Covers the emotional and physical distress caused by the serious injury, ongoing pain, reduced quality of life, and other long-term effects that don’t come with a precise dollar amount—but still deserve recognition.

The Time Limit to File an Airbag Injury Lawsuit in Illinois

If you’ve suffered injuries from a defective airbag or suffered harm due to airbag deployment in an accident, it’s essential to act quickly. Illinois law gives you two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

Failing to file within this two-year window can result in losing your right to claim compensation, no matter how strong your case may be. A knowledgeable Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case and ensure that all legal deadlines are met.

How Our Chicago Airbag Injury Lawyers Can Help

We begin by thoroughly reviewing the details of the accident to determine what went wrong. This includes examining whether the airbag system deployed correctly or if a faulty airbag worsened your injuries. Our attorneys will also check for known defects, recalls, or installation errors.

We collect all relevant documentation, including accident scene reports, medical bills, injury records, repair histories, and technical data from the airbag manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer. This evidence helps establish a timeline, identify responsible parties, and prove the injuries’ severity.

We work with industry experts in automotive design, mechanical engineering, and accident reconstruction to strengthen your case. These professionals can evaluate the airbag system, inspect the vehicle’s airbags, and provide testimony to support claims of defects, faulty sensors, or installation errors.

Our firm builds a comprehensive legal strategy targeting every liable party. That may include the airbag manufacturer, vehicle manufacturer, repair shop, car dealer, or even another driver involved in the accident. We pursue product liability and personal injury cases, depending on the circumstances.

Whether through skilled negotiation or aggressive litigation, our goal is always the same: secure the fair compensation you deserve. We fight for coverage of medical expenses, future lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impacts such as scarring, disfigurement, or permanent injury.

Airbag Injury FAQs

How are airbag injury cases classified?

Airbag injury cases are typically classified under personal injury or product liability law. If the injury occurred due to a defective airbag, manufacturing flaw, design defect, or failure to deploy, it may fall under a product liability claim.

If the injury was caused by another driver’s negligence, the claim may be handled as a standard personal injury case, possibly involving both claims if a faulty airbag contributed to the harm.

What evidence do I need to prove an airbag injury case?

To build a strong case, you’ll need:

• Crash reports and police documentation;
• Medical records and bills proving your injuries;
• Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and deployed airbags;
• Expert analysis of the airbag module, vehicle data, or airbag manufacturer recall info;
• Witness statements.

A Chicago airbag injury lawyer can help gather and organize this evidence to support your claim.

How long does it take to settle a product liability lawsuit?

The timeline for settling an airbag injury lawsuit can vary. Simple cases may resolve in several months, while more complex ones—especially those involving large airbag manufacturers or serious injuries—can take a year or more. Factors like the severity of the injury, the number of liable parties, and whether the case goes to trial can all affect timing.

Hiring an experienced product liability lawyer in Chicago can significantly shorten the timeline.

When an airbag deploys, how long does it take to inflate, protect the driver, and deflate?

Unless malfunctioning, airbags deploy about 20 to 50 milliseconds after a crash. It instantly inflates to create a cushion between the vehicle occupants and hard surfaces like the steering wheel or dashboard. The airbag deflates immediately through small vents, allowing the occupant to move and breathe.

What could compromise airbag deployment?

Several factors can cause airbag failure or improper deployment, including:

• Speed Thresholds Not Met: If the vehicle was moving below 8–14 mph, the system might not activate.
• Collision Angle: Rear-end or angled collisions may not trigger the sensors.
• Sensor Malfunction: Faulty or unresponsive sensors fail to detect a crash.
• Electrical or Wiring Issues: Damaged wiring can block the signal to the airbag module.
• Partial Deployment: One airbag may deploy while another fails, often due to signal interruptions.
• Malfunctioning Airbag Module or Design: Internal defects can prevent deployment entirely, as seen in many Takata airbag recalls.

How are airbag burns treated?

Airbag burns can result from chemical exposure or friction during deployment. Treatment may include:

• Cleaning and dressing the wound;
• Topical creams to prevent infection and promote healing;
• Pain management;
• In more serious cases, treatment from a burn specialist.

If the burns are severe or lead to scarring or disfigurement, additional care, such as skin grafting or reconstructive surgery, may be required.

Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit for airbag-related fatalities?

Yes. If a loved one suffered fatal injuries due to a faulty airbag, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This can apply whether the death was caused by a failure to deploy, unexpected deployment, or injuries from a defective airbag system.

A Chicago wrongful death attorney can help guide you through the legal process and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Consult a Chicago Airbag Injury Lawyer Near You!

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of success, having recovered millions for injury victims across Illinois, including those harmed by defective safety features like airbags.

Our client-first approach means you’ll always receive clear communication, responsive support, and honest guidance at every stage of your case. Every airbag injury case we handle is taken on a contingency fee basis, removing the financial burden and making it easier to get the experienced legal help you deserve.

Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

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“Reaching out to this firm was a lifesaver after my car accident. My lawyer handled everything with professionalism and care, from dealing with insurance companies to ensuring I got the settlement I deserved. They were always available to answer my questions and kept me updated throughout the process. Thanks to there hard work, my medical bills were covered, and I felt supported every step of the way. Highly recommend this office for anyone needing a dedicated personal injury attorney!”

— Wynndham Wolff

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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.