How Serious Does a Collision Have to Be for Airbags to Deploy?

At Davidoff Law, we know that airbags are one of the most important safety features in passenger vehicles. Many drivers wonder how serious a collision must be for the airbags to deploy. Airbag deployment is designed to protect vehicle occupants during a serious car accident; however, airbags sometimes fail to deploy or deploy improperly in a severe crash, which can lead to catastrophic injuries.

On the other hand, deploying airbags in a minor accident can also cause injuries from airbag deployment or other injuries from metal shrapnel or the airbag module. Both situations may involve defective airbags, faulty airbags, or problems with the airbag system.

We help crash victims determine whether airbags function correctly, and our personal injury attorneys handle cases involving passenger airbag failures. Whether it’s frontal airbags, side airbags, or curtain airbags, we guide our clients through insurance claims and the process of seeking compensation for suffered injuries, including severe, serious, or significant harm.

The Basic Physics Behind Airbag Deployment

To understand airbag deployment, it helps to know the physics behind it. Airbags are designed to protect occupants by cushioning their heads, necks, and chests during a serious collision. The system relies on airbag sensors, a safety belt sensor, and the airbag control unit to trigger deployment within milliseconds. Modern vehicles use these important safety innovations to reduce occupant ejection and severe injuries in frontal crashes, rollover crashes, or side impacts.

Deceleration: The Key Force That Triggers a Response

The primary factor that triggers airbags to deploy is rapid deceleration. When a vehicle hits another object or the vehicles involved collide, the airbag sensors detect a sudden drop in miles per hour. This deceleration signals the airbag control unit to deploy frontal airbags or side curtain airbags. Occupants who are not wearing safety belts or booster seats are at a higher risk because unbelted occupants can be thrown forward, which airbags cushion to reduce the likelihood of significant injuries.

The Role of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) as the Brain

The airbag control unit, or ECU, acts as the brain of the airbag system. It constantly monitors sensors in passenger cars, passenger vehicles, and passenger seats. When a serious collision occurs, the ECU decides if airbags are deployed. It also works in conjunction with seat belts, safety belt sensors, and the airbag module to ensure that front seat passengers, rear seat passengers, and child safety seats are protected. If the ECU malfunctions, the airbags may fail, which can lead to serious or catastrophic injuries.

The Chemical Reaction That Inflates the Bag in Milliseconds

Once the ECU signals the airbag system, a chemical reaction inflates the deployed airbag instantly. This reaction fills the airbag cushion with gas to protect occupants from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or vehicle interior. Modern frontal airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags inflate in less than a tenth of a second.

Even minor crashes can trigger this chemical reaction if the sensor detects a sharp enough deceleration. However, airbags not deploying in a serious collision can indicate defective airbags, faulty airbag deployment, or issues with optional equipment.

Key Sensor Thresholds for Frontal Airbag Deployment

At Davidoff Law, we understand that front airbags are not meant to deploy in every car crash. They are designed to activate only when a vehicle detects forces that could cause serious injuries to the occupant's head or chest.

Airbags are standard equipment in most passenger vehicles, but the exact thresholds for deployment vary depending on the car manufacturer and the vehicle model. Knowing these limits helps car accident lawyers determine if airbags failed or deployed correctly, which is crucial for insurance company investigations and personal injury claims.

Equivalent to a Wall Impact at ~8-14 mph

Most front airbags are designed to deploy in a car crash similar to hitting a solid wall at roughly 8 to 14 miles per hour. Smaller fender-benders or minor accidents usually do not trigger them. Airbags work to prevent the occupant's head and chest from striking the steering wheel or dashboard.

In some cases, used vehicles may have sensors that are worn or damaged, and a repair shop can inspect the airbag module to ensure it will deploy correctly in a future serious collision.

The Impact Angle: Typically Front-Impact Within 30 Degrees

Frontal airbags are most effective when the vehicle hits another object head-on or at a 30-degree angle from the front. Side glancing blows may not trigger airbags even in a serious crash, which is why seat belts remain critical. If an airbag system fails to deploy in these angles, car manufacturers may issue a recall, or insurance companies might question whether the airbag sensors were working properly.

Vehicle Specificity: Why Every Model is Different

Every passenger car and passenger vehicle has a unique airbag system. The crash severity sensors and airbag control unit are calibrated differently by each car manufacturer. This means a car crash in one model might deploy front airbags, while a similar crash in another might not. We review the vehicle's make and model, and if needed, work with repair shops and insurance companies to check if the airbags failed or worked as intended.

The Role of Crash Severity Sensors

Crash severity sensors detect sudden deceleration and signal the airbag module to inflate front airbags. They work with safety belt sensors and other standard equipment to ensure vehicle occupants are protected. If a sensor is damaged or faulty, the airbags are not deployed, which can increase the risk of serious injuries. We examine these sensors when advising crash victims and car accident lawyers to determine if airbags failed in a serious car accident.

Side-Impact Collisions

Side airbags have a different purpose than front airbags. The sides of vehicles have less crumple zone, so airbags are designed to deploy at lower impact thresholds to protect occupants’ heads and torsos.

We often see car accidents where side airbags save lives, but sometimes airbags don’t deploy in a serious collision. Understanding how side airbags work is critical for insurance claims and when advising crash victims.

Lower Deployment Thresholds Due to Less Protection

Since the vehicle sides offer less protection than the front, side airbags deploy even in moderate side crashes. They act quickly to cushion the occupant’s head from hitting the door, window, or nearby object. We ensure that insurance companies recognize the importance of side airbags when passenger airbags fail to deploy in a car crash.

The Role of Door-Pressure and Accelerometer Sensors

Side airbags rely on door-pressure sensors and accelerometer sensors to detect a crash. When the vehicle detects a side impact, the airbag system instantly inflates the side airbags. If these sensors are defective, airbags fail, leading to serious injuries or catastrophic injuries. We work with car manufacturers and repair shops to inspect these sensors when airbags don’t deploy.

Protecting the Head vs. the Torso (Curtain vs. Seat-Mounted Airbags)

Side curtain airbags protect the occupant’s head, while seat-mounted side airbags cushion the chest and torso. Both types work together to reduce serious injuries in passenger vehicles. We advise car accident victims and personal injury attorneys to consider side airbags in insurance claims. If airbags failed or were faulty, this can affect compensation for suffered injuries.

Common Reasons for Airbag Non-Deployment in a Serious Crash

At Davidoff Law, we often see cases where front airbags or side airbags didn’t deploy during a serious car accident. This can lead to severe injuries or catastrophic injuries for vehicle occupants. When airbags fail, it may indicate a problem with the airbag system, sensor, or airbag module.

Understanding why airbags didn’t deploy helps car accident lawyers build cases and work with insurance companies. Common causes include:

Sensor Malfunction or Failure

Airbag sensors are critical for airbags to deploy. If a sensor detects no serious crash, front airbags may not inflate. Sensors can fail due to:

• Damage from a previous car crash
• Manufacturing defects from the car manufacturer
• Issues with used vehicles after repairs at a repair shop

When airbag sensors fail, vehicle occupants are at risk of serious injuries even in frontal crashes. We investigate these failures when advising crash victims.

Electrical System Failures (e.g., damaged wiring from a previous accident)

Airbags are controlled by the airbag control unit and rely on proper electrical wiring. If wiring is damaged during a prior car crash or faulty from the car manufacturer, airbags are not deployed. We check for electrical system failures to determine if faulty airbags contributed to the injuries suffered.

The "Switches" for Passenger-Side Airbags (Weight Sensors)

Passenger airbags have weight sensors that decide if the airbags should deploy. If the sensor thinks the seat is empty or a child safety seat is present, it may stop deployment. We review these switches for passenger seat safety to see if airbags failed incorrectly.

The Specifics of the Collision (Underride, Rollover, Multiple Impacts)

Sometimes the crash type itself prevents airbags from inflating. Examples include:

• Underride crashes, where a smaller car goes under a truck
• Rollover crashes, where sensors may misread forces
• Multiple impacts, which confuse the airbag control unit

We examine each car crash carefully to see if airbags failed, which is crucial for insurance claims and personal injury cases.

When Airbags Deploy Unnecessarily or Dangerously

Airbags are important safety innovations, but airbags can deploy in minor accidents or minor crashes, causing airbag injuries. At Davidoff Law, we help crash victims understand why airbags deploy when they shouldn’t. Knowing the cause can protect vehicle occupants and support personal injury claims.

Deployment from a Minor Bump or Pothole

Sometimes airbag sensors misread small impacts, such as:

• Minor fender-benders
• Hitting a pothole
• Sudden lane changes that don’t cause serious harm

In these cases, front airbags, side airbags, or curtain airbags may inflate unexpectedly, risking airbag injuries to the occupant's head or chest. We investigate whether airbags were deployed due to faulty sensors.

Defective Takata Airbags and Overly Aggressive Deployment

Some defective airbags, such as those made by Takata, can inflate too aggressively or even shoot metal shrapnel. These faulty airbags can cause serious harm to vehicle occupants, even in minor crashes, resulting in severe injuries. We review the airbag module and airbag control unit to determine if airbags are defective.

The Dangers of Being Too Close to the Steering Wheel

Being too close to a steering wheel can make even properly deployed airbags dangerous. Airbags cushion the occupant's head and chest, but unbelted occupants or those leaning forward risk airbag injuries. We educate front seat passengers and passenger seat occupants about the proper distance to reduce harm in serious car accidents.

Injuries Caused by Airbag Malfunctions

At Davidoff Law, we see serious car accidents where airbags fail or deploy dangerously. These airbag malfunctions can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. Victims often have severe injuries to the occupant’s head, neck, or spine. We help crash victims understand their rights and pursue personal injury or product liability claims against the car manufacturer. Whether airbags didn’t deploy or deploy too aggressively, the risks are real.

Common injuries from airbag malfunctions include:

Injuries from Non-Deployment (Head Trauma, Spinal Cord Injuries)

When front airbags or side airbags don’t deploy in a frontal crash or side-impact collision, vehicle occupants can suffer:

• Head trauma from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or passenger seat
• Spinal cord injuries from the sudden stop of a car crash
• Severe injuries to the rear seat passengers if passenger airbags are missing

We review airbag sensors and the airbag module to see if a defective airbag caused harm.

Injuries from Aggressive Deployment (Burns, Hearing Loss, Facial Fractures)

Airbags that deploy too forcefully can also cause serious injuries. Examples include:

• Burns from the chemical reaction that inflates the bag
• Hearing loss from the loud explosion in the steering wheel
• Facial fractures or cuts from hitting a deployed airbag too closely

We investigate faulty airbags to help insurance companies and personal injury attorneys understand the cause.

The Fatal Consequences of Metal Shrapnel from Defective Inflators

Some defective airbags, such as older Takata airbags, can release metal shrapnel during deployment. This airbag malfunction can injure the occupant’s head, chest, or limbs, and sometimes cause fatal injuries. We work with car manufacturers and repair shops to document these hazards in car accident claims.

What to Do If You Suspect an Airbag Malfunction

If you believe your airbags didn’t deploy or deployed improperly, we recommend taking action promptly. Preserving evidence is key to a strong personal injury case. We advise crash victims to follow this simple checklist after a serious car accident:

Preserve the Vehicle and Its Electronic Data (Do Not Repair)

• Do not repair the car or remove airbag sensors
• Keep the airbag module and airbag control unit intact
• Avoid moving the vehicle unless necessary for safety

Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Your Injuries

• Get checked even if injuries seem minor
• Document head trauma, burns, or other injuries caused by the airbags
• Medical records help with personal injury claims and insurance company negotiations

Document the Scene and the Vehicle's Condition Thoroughly

• Take photos of the vehicle, airbags, and dashboard
• Record the occupant’s position, seat belts used, and child safety seat if present
• Note the airbag deployment status and any visible damage from defective airbags

We use this information to help personal injury attorneys build car accident cases and seek compensation for crash victims.

Your Legal Rights After an Airbag-Related Injury

At Davidoff Law, we understand that airbag injuries go beyond a standard car crash claim. If front airbags, side airbags, or curtain airbags failed to deploy or deployed dangerously, vehicle occupants may have personal injury and product liability claims. We can help crash victims seek compensation from the car manufacturer or insurance company.

Acting quickly is key because the airbag module, sensors, and the vehicle itself must be preserved before repairs or inspections by a repair shop, or in the case of used vehicles. We guide injured passengers and front seat passengers through the process to protect their legal rights.

Product Liability Claims for Design or Manufacturing Defects

Defective airbags or faulty airbag modules can cause serious injuries or even catastrophic injuries. We carefully investigate the airbag system and sensor failures to determine if the car manufacturer is at fault. Claims may involve front airbags, side airbags, or passenger airbags, depending on the vehicle’s standard equipment. Airbag injuries can include head trauma, burns, or injuries caused by metal shrapnel if the inflator fails.

The Importance of Acting Quickly to Preserve Evidence

It is critical to preserve the vehicle and all airbag electronics, including the airbag control unit. Take clear photos of the occupant’s head, the passenger seat positions, and the seat belts used during the car crash. Avoid any repairs at a repair shop until a car accident lawyer reviews the airbag system. Acting quickly helps personal injury attorneys hold car manufacturers accountable and ensures insurance claims are not compromised.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorney If a Malfunction Caused Your Injuries

If a serious car accident left you injured because your airbags failed or deployed dangerously, we are here to help. Airbag cases are complex and require legal teams with experience to investigate car manufacturers, vehicle sensors, and the airbag module. We possess the knowledge and resources to handle these product liability claims.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case. We explain your legal options and help you seek compensation for serious injuries caused by defective airbags. Acting quickly preserves critical evidence, such as the vehicle, safety belt sensors, and the airbag system. We urge anyone hurt by front airbags, side airbags, or passenger airbags to call us immediately. Your legal rights and your chance to recover may depend on how fast you act.