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Car Accident With Possible Airbag Malfunction

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  • 05-15-2018, 12:44 PM
    lawfacts
    Car Accident With Possible Airbag Malfunction
    A woman was involved in a 40 MPH collision caused by another driver. Her airbag went off, and she recalls seeing black smoke. Her hands were blown off of the steering wheel by the airbag. She didn't get treatment after the accident but, once the adrenaline wore off, later went to the doctor. She has chest pain and is coughing up thick mucus.

    Her husband says that airbag smoke should be white, not black. Is it possible that her airbag malfunctioned? It was a Takata airbag and had been recalled, but she hadn't taken the car in to have the airbag replaced at the time the accident occurred.
  • 05-15-2018, 04:50 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Car Accident With Possible Airbag Malfunction
    If the airbag inflated, and did so with enough force to knock the driver's hands off of the steering wheel of the car, it sounds like it functioned properly. You can still suffer injuries in a high speed collision even if the airbag inflates. Frankly, if she walked away after a 40 MPH accident, it sounds like the airbag worked.

    Typical airbag failure involves the airbag either failing to inflate, or inflating when there has not been a collision. It's not a matter of the color of smoke.

    If the woman is pursuing a personal injury case against the other driver, she should discuss her airbag concerns with her lawyer. Even if not, she may want to consult a lawyer about her concerns and a possible product liability claim. We can make reasonably informed guesses about the case, but we cannot provide a definitive evaluation because we have no access to the evidence or medical reports.
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