Airbag Defect Lawyer — What to Do If Your Airbag Fails or Explodes
Airbags are one of the most important safety features in modern vehicles. They are designed to prevent catastrophic injuries in collisions. But when an airbag fails to deploy — or deploys with excessive, explosive force — a crash that should have been survivable can turn deadly. Victims are left with severe injuries, lifelong disabilities, or families facing the unimaginable loss of a loved one.
If you’re asking yourself, “What should I do if I was injured by a defective airbag?” or “Can I sue a car manufacturer for airbag failure?” — you are not alone. These are questions thousands of drivers and families face each year. At McCartney Stucky, our airbag defect lawyers handle these cases nationwide, fighting automakers and parts manufacturers for justice and maximum compensation.
What Happens When an Airbag Fails in a Crash?
Airbags are designed to deploy in milliseconds, cushioning the force of impact and preventing a driver or passenger from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. When they don’t work as intended, the consequences are devastating:
- Non-deployment: The airbag never inflates, leaving occupants completely unprotected.
- Explosive deployment: Inflators rupture and explode, sending shrapnel into the vehicle cabin.
- Improper deployment: Airbags deploy too late, too early, or with dangerous force.
These failures have caused thousands of catastrophic injuries and deaths across the U.S. Survivors often face traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, burns, lacerations, or even amputations.
What Should I Do Right After an Accident with a Defective Airbag?
If you suspect your injuries were caused or worsened by an airbag defect, your actions immediately after the crash are critical — both for your health and for preserving your legal rights.
- Get Medical Treatment Immediately
Even if you don’t feel badly hurt at first, defective airbag injuries may cause delayed symptoms such as concussions, internal bleeding, or spinal trauma. Always get checked by a doctor. - Do Not Repair or Dispose of the Vehicle
The defective airbag system is the most important evidence in your case. If the car is repaired, scrapped, or “totaled out” by insurance, you may lose the ability to prove the defect. - Document Everything
Take photos of your injuries, the vehicle, and the airbag system. Save medical records, accident reports, and insurance correspondence. - Call an Airbag Defect Attorney Immediately
A lawyer can quickly step in to preserve the vehicle, secure the black box data, and hire experts to inspect the airbag system before evidence disappears.
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When Should I Call an Airbag Defect Lawyer?
The short answer: as soon as possible. Evidence in these cases is time-sensitive. Insurance companies and manufacturers may move quickly to dispose of defective airbags or repair the car, making it harder to prove liability.
An airbag defect attorney will:
- Contact insurance companies to prevent premature repairs or disposal.
- Arrange for vehicle storage and inspection.
- Begin building your case with accident reconstruction and engineering experts.
The earlier you call, the stronger your case will be.
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Can I Sue for an Airbag Not Deploying or Exploding?
Yes. Victims can file an airbag lawsuit against automakers and parts manufacturers when a defective airbag system causes catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. These lawsuits are typically based on:
- Defective Design: The airbag system was unsafe from the start, making every unit dangerous.
- Manufacturing Defect: A problem in the production process made certain airbags defective.
- Failure to Warn: Manufacturers failed to warn consumers or issue recalls in time.
If you are asking “How to sue a car manufacturer for airbag failure?” — the key is working with an experienced trial team that knows how to prove these complex claims in court.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Airbag Defect Lawsuit?
Airbag systems are made up of many parts and suppliers, which means multiple parties may share liability. Common defendants include:
- Automakers who installed the defective airbag system in the vehicle.
- Parts manufacturers who designed or built faulty inflators, sensors, or control modules.
- Distributors and dealerships who sold the vehicle with known risks.
- Third parties who failed to issue proper recalls or warnings.
Your attorney will investigate every link in the supply chain to hold all negligent parties accountable.
How Do Lawyers Prove Airbag Defects in Court?
Proving an airbag defect requires deep technical knowledge and expert testimony. At McCartney Stucky, we work with some of the nation’s top specialists to build these cases. Our process includes:
- Crash Data Retrieval: Black box (EDR) downloads showing whether airbags should have deployed.
- Engineering Analysis: Examination of sensors, wiring, and inflators for defects.
- Expert Testimony: Engineers, accident reconstructionists, and biomechanical experts explain how the defect caused the injury.
- Preserved Evidence: Securing the vehicle and airbag system in our evidence facility.
This level of preparation makes us trial-ready from day one, giving us leverage against automakers.
What Compensation Can I Recover in an Airbag Defect Lawsuit?
Victims of defective airbags may be entitled to full compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, long-term rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: When injuries prevent a return to work.
- Pain & Suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages: For families who have lost a loved one.
Our airbag defect lawyers fight for maximum compensation — not just a quick settlement.
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Common Injuries in Airbag Defect Lawsuits
Airbag failures can cause some of the most devastating injuries seen in auto defect litigation:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From non-deployment in high-speed crashes.
- Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis: When restraints and airbags fail together.
- Severe Burns & Lacerations: From explosive deployments and chemical propellants.
- Amputations & Crushing Injuries: Caused by faulty inflators and forceful deployment.
- Wrongful Death: When a survivable crash turns fatal due to airbag failure.
These are not minor injuries — they are life-changing events that require lifelong medical care and legal action.
Nationwide Representation for Airbag Defect Cases
At McCartney Stucky, we represent clients nationwide. We handle airbag lawsuits across the U.S. Unlike many firms, we prepare every case for trial, not just settlement. That trial-focused approach has led to multiple seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
And with our No Fee Unless We Win commitment, you can pursue your case with confidence. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
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Protect Your Rights After an Airbag Failure
If you or a loved one was injured because an airbag failed to deploy or exploded during a crash, you may have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable. These cases are complex, and automakers fight hard — but with the right trial team, you can secure justice and maximum recovery.
Contact McCartney Stucky today to speak directly with an airbag defect lawyer. Our team is ready to investigate your case, preserve the evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve — nationwide.