Airbags save countless lives every year. They soften the blow of a crash and keep people from striking a wheel, dashboard or windshield.
Yet the same force that protects travelers can also leave a mark. When an airbag fires in a fraction of a second, the speed and power behind it can cause real harm. Understanding the most common injuries can help you understand what your body has gone through, if you’re ever affected thusly.
Facial and eye injuries
An airbag may make direct contact with your face. That sudden hit can leave bruises, scrapes and swelling around the eyes. In some cases the impact reaches the eyes themselves and may threaten your vision.
Burns and abrasions
To inflate so fast, an airbag relies on a quick chemical reaction that gives off heat. The rushing fabric and heated gas can scorch or scrape your skin. These marks often appear on the arms, chest or face depending on where you sit.
Chest and rib injuries
A bag can push against your upper body with great pressure. That force can bruise the chest or even crack ribs. Stronger collisions tend to bring more serious damage to this part of the body.
Upper limb injuries
Drivers usually have their hands on the wheel when a bag deploys. The blast can throw the arms back with surprising power. The result can range from minor bruises to broken bones in the hands or arms.
Hearing issues
An airbag does not fire quietly. The loud bang it makes can ring in your ears or cause short term hearing loss. For some people that ringing lingers well after the crash.
Neck and spine strain
The impact can snap your head and neck back in an instant. This rapid motion strains the muscles and the upper spine. Even when nothing breaks, the soreness and stiffness can last for weeks.
If you have suffered airbag deployment injuries in a car accident that disrupted your life, you do not have to sort through the aftermath alone. Consider seeking legal guidance to better understand your rights and your options for moving forward.