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No Fees Unless We Win
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After a car accident, many Washington drivers focus on visible vehicle damage and police reports. Pain often comes later. Soreness in the chest, burns on the arms, jaw pain, or lingering headaches raise an unexpected question once the shock fades. Do airbags hurt when they deploy during a crash? For many people involved in serious collisions, the answer becomes clear only after medical care begins.
Airbags deploy with explosive force in a fraction of a second. This system reduces the risk of fatal contact with the steering wheel or dashboard, yet the same force can cause injuries, especially during high-speed car accidents or when a driver sits too close to the airbag module. These injuries often complicate recovery and trigger insurance disputes over medical coverage and fault. At Colburn Law—Accident and Injury Lawyers, we guide Washington drivers through these issues by explaining how airbag injuries occur and how state law applies after a crash.
Airbags deploy with tremendous speed and force during a car accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that an igniter inside the inflator triggers a chemical reaction, producing gas that fills the airbag in under one twentieth of a second. This rapid expansion stops drivers and passengers from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield, but the sudden impact puts severe stress on the body.
Injuries are more common when drivers sit too close to the steering wheel, fail to wear seat belts properly, or are involved in high-speed collisions. Smaller-framed occupants face a greater risk due to the limited space between the body and the airbag module. Defective inflators further increase the danger, particularly when ruptures send metal fragments into the vehicle cabin or cause irregular deployment. Despite overall safety benefits, the force required to protect occupants during severe crashes explains why airbag-related injuries remain common after serious collisions.
During a serious car accident, do airbags hurt? Airbag deployment can cause a wide range of injuries, especially during high-speed impacts or when an airbag malfunctions. These injuries often affect different parts of the body, including the following:
Together, these injuries show how airbag deployment during a serious car accident can cause more than short-term discomfort, especially when symptoms develop gradually or involve internal trauma requiring ongoing medical care.
Responsibility for an airbag injury after a car accident often involves more than one factor. The cause of the crash and the performance of the airbag system both matter when determining liability. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may rest with one or more of the following parties:
Washington’s comparative fault system allows injured drivers to pursue compensation even when multiple parties share responsibility, with recovery adjusted based on each party’s level of fault.
Once an airbag deploys during a car accident, injury prevention largely shifts from avoidance to response. Airbags activate instantly, leaving no opportunity for drivers or passengers to control the force involved. However, factors such as consistent seat belt use and proper seating position before a crash can influence how the body absorbs impact.
After deployment, timely medical attention often makes the greatest difference. Some injuries linked to airbag force, including internal trauma or head injuries, do not appear right away. Early evaluation helps address pain, limit complications, and establish medical records that reflect the full scope of harm following the crash.
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Recoverable damages for airbag injuries after a car accident may include medical expenses related to emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Compensation may also address lost income, reduced earning capacity, and time away from work during recovery.
Non-economic damages may cover physical pain, emotional distress, visible scarring, lasting physical limitations, and reduced quality of life. The overall value of a claim often depends on injury severity, recovery time, and how the injuries affect daily activities and long-term health.
Recovering compensation after an airbag injury often requires more than filing an insurance claim. Insurers may argue that airbag injuries result from unavoidable safety measures rather than negligence. A car accident lawyer can help challenge this position by showing how careless driving or a defective airbag caused unnecessary harm.
Strong claims rely on evidence such as crash reports, medical records, vehicle inspections, and recall information. Washington law generally allows three years to file a personal injury claim, though limited exceptions may apply.
Serious injuries involving airbag deployment require quick decisions after a car accident to protect health and preserve legal options, including the following:
Acting early helps protect medical recovery and strengthens any potential claim.
Many people begin asking, “Do airbags hurt?” after a crash leads to unexpected injuries or the need for medical treatment, especially when insurance companies question the cause or severity of those injuries. In those situations, Colburn Law—Accident and Injury Lawyers helps Washington drivers protect their rights and pursue compensation. Call 206-919-3215 for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Greg Colburn’s path to personal injury law is rooted in personal experience. After a devastating fall left him in a wheelchair for two years, he took on insurance companies and legal obstacles to win his own case. That journey inspired him to fight for others facing similar challenges. Today, Greg is dedicated to helping injury victims hold negligent parties accountable and secure the justice they deserve.
Years of Experience: 20 years
Super Lawyers Profile: Greg Colburn
Client Reviews
If you only contact one lawyer after an accident, I would tell you to contact Greg Colburn.
What can I say – Greg put in a vast amount of effort to accomplish what I thought would be an impossible feat. He was able to get the result I wanted and the settlement I could have only dreamed of – If you only contact one lawyer after an accident, I would tell you to contact Greg Colburn and you wont be sorry!!!! Thank you so very much.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney, Greg Colburn who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a Washington Personal Injury Attorney.
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