Car accidents involving airbag injuries can really change your life. If an airbag caused you to sustain harm in Albuquerque, NM, you might be able to get money for your injuries.
Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers has a long history of helping people hurt in accidents. We know how important it is to get financial help after an accident. Our goal is to work hard to get you the most money possible.
For a free consultation, call our experienced Albuquerque airbag injury lawyers at (505) 785-7770 today or reach out to us online.
How Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Sustained Airbag Injuries in Albuquerque
You expect your vehicle’s airbags to protect you in the event of an accident – not cause you additional harm. If you were injured in this type of incident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you may be entitled to compensation. However, you’ll need to support your claim with evidence and prove the extent of your damages.
Look no further than Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to aid you in that effort. Our car accident attorneys in Albuquerque have 55 years of combined experience, and we’ve secured $30 million for our clients to date – and counting. If you hire us, we can help by:
- Thoroughly investigating your accident and injuries
- Calculating all of your damages
- Collecting evidence in favor of your claim for compensation
- Hiring experts as needed to support your case
- Taking care of all the paperwork, procedures, and settlement negotiations
- Filing a lawsuit against the responsible party if necessary
Contact our Albuquerque law office today for more information. Your initial consultation is completely free of charge.
How Do Airbags Function?
Airbags are a key safety feature in cars, designed to inflate quickly during an accident. In most cars, you’ll find airbags in the dashboard and steering wheel. They are also often in the doors for side-impact protection, and sometimes even in the seats.
These airbags are made from a thin, strong material like nylon. They’re folded up small and connected to a crash sensor. This sensor has a special part called an accelerometer, inside a tiny chip. When this part senses a big impact, like hitting a concrete wall at 20 miles per hour, it sends a signal.
Once the signal is sent, the airbag starts to inflate. This involves a spark and a special substance that quickly makes a lot of nitrogen gas. This gas fills the airbag.
The airbag inflates very fast and moves towards the people in the car. Then, almost as quickly, it lets the gas out through tiny holes. After an accident, you might see a powdery substance inside the car. This is usually just talc powder or cornstarch.
This whole process happens in just a fraction of a second. Because the process happens so fast, there is very little time to react.
Common Types of Airbag Injuries in Albuquerque
Airbags can cause a range of injuries when they deploy during a car accident. These injuries can include:
- Eye irritation or harm from exposure to airbag chemicals or the impact force.
- Trauma to the ears, potentially leading to impaired hearing.
- Heart-related injuries resulting from the airbag’s force against the chest.
- Burns on different body parts, like the chest, arms, or face, due to friction with the airbag.
- Injuries to the brain caused by the airbag’s rapid expansion.
- Damage to facial structures, including bone breaks and bruising from the airbag’s impact.
- Bone injuries, such as fractures in the wrist, ribs, or skull, due to the force of the airbag.
- Internal bleeding, a potential consequence of organ damage from airbag deployment.
- Breathing problems, like asthma attacks, triggered by chemicals used in airbag deployment.
Airbags are a bit like a double-edged sword. On one hand, they’re crucial for safety, saving countless lives. On the other hand, the very force and speed that make airbags effective can also cause harm. When they deploy, they come out fast and hard, which can lead to the injuries listed above.
There are also factors that increase the risk of airbag injuries. For instance, if an airbag doesn’t deploy when it should, occupants miss out on its protection, leading to injuries airbags are meant to prevent. This is another aspect of the double-edged sword analogy. It can cause harm both by its action and inaction.
What Causes Airbag Injuries in an Albuquerque Car Accident?
Let’s explore some factors influencing airbag injuries:
- Failure to Deploy: When an airbag fails to deploy, the lack of cushioning and restraint can lead to serious injuries.
- Defective Airbags: Sometimes, airbags themselves are faulty. This can result in unexpected deployment, causing injuries like shrapnel wounds.
- Type of Collision: The nature of the crash also matters. Frontal and side impacts, for example, often result in more airbag-related injuries due to the severity of these crashes.
- Passenger Characteristics: The age and size of the passenger play a role, too. Elderly individuals and children, for example, face higher risks of injury from airbags.
In summary, while airbags are essential for vehicle safety, their deployment can cause various injuries. Understanding these risks and the factors that influence airbag injuries is important for both prevention and addressing the aftermath of an accident.
Who Is Responsible for My Airbag Injuries in Albuquerque, NM, and What Damages Can I Get?
If you’ve suffered an airbag injury in Albuquerque, New Mexico, understanding who can be held responsible is crucial. This responsibility could fall on the driver of your car, another party involved in the accident, or even the manufacturer of the airbag if it malfunctioned.
In terms of compensation, you may be entitled to various types of economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical Expenses: Covering both current and future medical treatments related to the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma.
- Emotional Distress: Addressing psychological impacts such as stress or depression.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury prevents you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: For any permanent physical changes resulting from the injury.
- Lost Wages: Covering income lost due to time off work.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: If your ability to earn in the future is affected.
- Disability: In cases of long-term or permanent physical limitations.
Many other kinds of damages may be recoverable as well, depending on the facts of your case.
Contact Our Airbag Injury Lawyers in Albuquerque for a Free Case Review
Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers is well-equipped to assist with airbag injury cases in Albuquerque. We can help in determining liability, advocating for your right to compensation, and providing the legal guidance needed to navigate the complexities of your case.
For experienced legal assistance and to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, reach out to our Albuquerque airbag injury lawyers today for a free case review.