Since their introduction, airbags have saved tens of thousands of lives. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that frontal airbags alone saved over 70,000 lives between 1999 and 2019.
But airbags can also cause serious injuries—especially when they malfunction. Whether it’s an overpowered deployment, a failure to deploy at all or an airbag that explodes like a grenade, defective airbags are a hidden threat in millions of vehicles still on the road.
At Lucas Law Firm, we represent clients who have suffered devastating airbag injuries, including many who had no idea a defect may have been involved. This post will help you understand:
- What makes an airbag defective
- Signs your airbag injuries may involve a malfunction
- The largest airbag recall in U.S. history
- What to expect when working with a defective airbag lawyer
What Is a Defective Airbag?
An airbag is considered defective when it fails to function properly due to flaws in its design, manufacturing, materials or calibration. In real-world crashes, these flaws often go unnoticed—except by those suffering the consequences.
Common Types of Defective Airbags:
- Airbags that fail to deploy leaving occupants unprotected and at risk for serious or even fatal injures
- Exploding inflators (as in the Takata recall), which can send metal shrapnel into passengers
- Sensor failures that cause airbags to deploy too late—or not at all
- Unexpected deployment when a vehicle is parked or idling
- Overpowered airbags that cause blunt force trauma or airbag injuries to the face
- Occupant classification system (OCS) failures, which incorrectly deploy (or suppress) airbags based on passenger weight
Even when airbags “deploy,” they may do so with excessive or insufficient force, leading to injuries that are more severe than the crash itself.
Why Most Crash Victims Never Realize the Airbag Was Defective
After a crash, most people focus on the visible damage: broken glass, crushed metal and bodily injuries. Rarely does anyone ask: Was the airbag supposed to deploy that way? Or could it have made things worse?
That’s where we come in. Lucas Law Firm is the firm other personal injury attorneys call when they suspect something more may be at play. We have the technical knowledge and trial experience to uncover whether a crash involved a defective airbag system—and to hold manufacturers accountable when it does.
If you suffered facial trauma, broken bones, burns or head injuries from an airbag, it may not have been a “normal” injury. And without an experienced defective car attorney, you may never find out the truth.
Red Flags That Point to Defective Airbags
If you’ve experienced any of the following, your airbag injuries may involve a defect:
- Airbag failed to deploy in a crash that totaled the vehicle
- Injuries seem excessive for a low-speed crash
- Facial fractures, eye trauma or hearing loss from the airbag
- Deployment happened without a collision (while idling or lightly bumping something)
- Shrapnel, chemical burns or torn airbag fabric
- A child or light passenger was injured despite weight-based airbag suppression systems
The Takata Recall: A Stark Reminder of Airbag Risks
The largest auto recall in U.S. history centered on one defective product: the Takata airbag inflator. These airbags, installed in vehicles from 2002 to 2018, were prone to exploding during deployment—sending razor-sharp metal fragments into the faces, necks and chests of drivers and passengers.
Key facts:
- 67+ million airbags recalled in the U.S.
- Linked to at least 28 deaths and over 400 serious injuries
- Affected nearly every major automaker, including Honda, Ford, BMW, and Toyota
- Millions of unrepaired vehicles remain on the road today
If you were injured in a vehicle involved in the Takata recall—or one that should have been—you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury or product liability claim.
When the Crash Isn’t the Whole Story
At Lucas Law Firm, we know how to identify when a defective airbag may have turned a survivable crash into a catastrophic injury. These are not simple fender benders. They are complex cases involving engineering defects, regulatory failures and legal misdirection.
That’s why other attorneys refer these cases to us. We don’t just look at the accident—we dig into the data:
- Black box downloads
- Deployment timing analysis
- Sensor history and inflator type
- NHTSA defect bulletins
- Manufacturer service records and recalls
And we prepare these cases for trial from day one when manufacturers won’t do what’s right.
How a Defective Airbag Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered airbag deployment injuries—especially those involving facial trauma, brain injuries or permanent disability—you need a lawyer who understands more than just crash dynamics.
A Lucas Law Firm defective airbag attorney will:
- Preserve critical vehicle evidence before it’s destroyed
- Work with crash reconstructionist experts and engineers
- Analyze recall status and product failure points
- Identify all liable parties: manufacturers, suppliers and dealerships
- Fight for compensation to cover medical bills, lost income, disfigurement and long-term care
These cases are time-sensitive. Don’t wait until the car is repaired or sold—your case depends on evidence only a legal team can preserve and investigate.
Talk to a Defective Airbag Lawyer Today
Airbags are supposed to protect you—not leave you with life-altering injuries.
If you’ve suffered airbag injuries—especially injuries that don’t match the severity of the crash—Lucas Law Firm is here to help. Whether you were driving a recalled vehicle or simply suspect something went wrong, we can investigate and advise you on your legal options.
Contact us today for a free case review with a defective airbag lawyer who knows how to uncover the truth—and pursue justice when manufacturers fail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I sue if my airbag didn’t deploy?
Yes. If your airbag failed to deploy during a moderate or severe crash, it may point to a defective sensor, faulty wiring, or a suppressed deployment when it should have fired. This could form the basis of a product liability claim.
What types of injuries can airbags cause?
Common airbag injuries include broken facial bones, traumatic brain injuries, eye damage, burns from hot gases or chemical exposure, chest and rib fractures, hearing loss, and in rare cases, death—especially from shrapnel in recalled models.
How do I know if my vehicle has a defective airbag?
You can check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle was part of a known airbag recall. However, some defects are not covered by recalls and require expert investigation, especially when injuries occur.
Can a defective airbag case be part of a class action?
Possibly. Many Takata airbag claims were resolved through class action litigation or MDLs (multi-district litigation), but if your injuries are severe, you may benefit more from pursuing an individual claim for full compensation.