Key Takeaways
- Car crashes can cause several airbags in your vehicle to deploy.
- Airbags prevent your head from making contact with the windshield and other vehicle parts during an accident.
- Despite the benefits of airbags, they can still cause injuries—though those injuries are better than the traumatic brain injuries you could sustain without airbags.
Vehicles have numerous airbags that are supposed to keep you safe in the event of a car accident. However, they often cause more pain in the form of broken ribs, a bruised or fractured sternum, chest wall pain, and even possible neck injuries. The last thing you need is more pain caused by something that is supposed to save your life. When you have intense pain after the airbags deploy, you should seek medical attention immediately to learn how to treat chest pain from airbag deployment. As these injuries are part of your claim, you should also contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Matz Injury Law for a free case evaluation and to help guide you through the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Chest Pain After a Car Accident
If you feel chest pain after a car accident, it is imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately. While some of the pain could be from bruises and muscle strains, it could also be a sign of a severe chest injury. Many severe injuries cannot be seen with your eyes. Some of the causes of chest pain may include:
- Rib fractures
- Punctured lung
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
- Pulmonary contusions
- Bruising
- Blunt-force trauma
- Muscle sprains
How Airbags Work
Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, you could have several airbags. They are located in the following areas:
- Door panels
- Above the door windows
- Steering wheel
- Dashboard
These are the most common locations. The vehicle features crash sensors that “tell” the airbags when to deploy. The airbags use a gas, such as argon or nitrogen, to deploy quickly—generally in about 1/20th of a second. As soon as the airbag deploys, it deflates, which can release dust and chemicals into the air.
If the crash sensor malfunctions, the airbag may not deploy in a wreck. In other cases, it may deploy when there is no reason to deploy. Despite the risk of malfunctions and injuries, airbags are designed to protect people in vehicles during collisions.
Chest Injuries Caused by Airbags
Some of the typical chest injuries that may be caused by airbags deploying include:
- Contusions and bruising
- Fractured ribs
- Sternal fractures
- Myocardial contusions
- Pulmonary contusions
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Internal injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Heart attack
- Chemical burns
Symptoms of Chest Injury After Airbag Deployment
Some of the common symptoms of airbag injuries include:
- Pain at the injury site
- Increased pain with deep breathing, laughing, or coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling or bruising in the chest area
- Tenderness
- Crunching or grinding sounds (crepitus) when moving
- Deformed rib cage
- Muscle spasms in the rib cage
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Dizziness or weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
- Asymmetrical chest expansion
- Shoulder and upper back pain
What Are the Recommended Treatments for Chest Pain Resulting from Airbag Impact?
After a car accident that causes chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.
Diagnosing Chest Injuries Caused by Airbag Deployment
Doctors can use various methods to determine what types of chest injuries you may have, including:
- X-rays: Checks for fractures
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Takes detailed pictures inside the body to check for soft tissue injuries. These are not great for life-threatening injuries as they take a relatively long time.
- CT scans: Uses radiation to create images of the body.
- Ultrasounds: Uses sound waves to diagnose internal issues. It can be used to diagnose lung issues.
- Exploratory surgery: Used in extreme circumstances to determine the cause and extent of injuries.
Treating Chest Injuries Caused By Airbag Impact
Doctors may order various treatments, depending on the type of injury and other factors, including:
- Chiropractic care
- Physical therapy
- Pain management
- Specialized medical care
Related Article: What Should I Do After a Car Accident if I Have Chest Pain?
Other Injuries Caused by Airbag Deployment
Airbags can cause injuries other than chest injuries, including:
- Face and eye injuries
- Ear injuries
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Internal injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Head injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Brain injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
Protecting Yourself Against Airbag Injuries
You can take several steps to minimize the risk of airbag injuries, including:
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Sit upright. If possible, move your arms to your sides.
- Sit at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel.
- Always put children in the rear seat.
- Use the appropriately sized car seat.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Airbag Injuries?
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, more than one person may be responsible for your injuries and losses, including airbag manufacturers and others. It is imperative that you retain an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney, as one of the ways they can help is to locate everyone who may share responsibility for your injuries and losses, including:
- The at-fault driver
- The owner of the other vehicle, if he or she is not the driver
- Companies using the vehicle for commercial use if the companies are not the owner of the vehicle
- The auto technician, repair shop, or dealership who performed inadequate maintenance and repairs
- Governmental agencies in charge of road maintenance and repair
- Contractors and subcontractors who work for government agencies that are responsible for road maintenance and repair
- The airbag manufacturer
Can I Sue for Injuries Caused By an Airbag?
Yes, you can sue for injuries caused by an airbag, whether the injuries are because an airbag was deployed during an auto accident, the airbag was deployed improperly, or the airbag was not deployed during a car wreck. In such cases, you have to prove that the airbag was faulty and that the deployment or non-deployment of the airbag caused the injury. An experienced car accident lawyer can help build a strong claim for you by thoroughly investigating all aspects of your case and gathering the required evidence to elevate your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
Can You Sue for Airbags Not Deploying?
Yes. If the airbag is defective and does not deploy during an accident, you can sue the auto manufacturing company or the airbag manufacturer. The liability in such cases lies with the party whose negligence caused the airbag failure.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Once you retain an experienced car accident attorney, the law firm can start helping you with your case. Some of the things the firm can do include:
- Obtain evidence to support your claim, including police reports and witness statements
- Locate dashcam, street camera footage, and other surveillance footage
- Obtain black box data, phone records, driving histories, and more
- Call in accident reconstruction and forensic analysis experts for scientific testimony
- Negotiate with the insurance companies involved—yes, there will most likely be more than one if there is more than one defendant
- Help you recover the compensation you deserve
Related Article: Is It Worth Hiring a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer?
Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law
When you need an experienced car accident lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve, you can count on the many years of experience under the belts of the attorneys at Matz Injury Law. Call us for a free consultation.
Testimonials
“Steve Matz was there when I needed him. Nobody expects to be a victim of a car accident but when I found myself in that situation it was overwhelming. Steve made everything easy. Steve did not accept the insurance Company’s first offer. He held out and got me a better settlement. Steve is very kind and professional. I highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” – Sharon K.
“Jared Matz very professional made this process very easy we trusted him and he delivered, very easy to communicate with him and he made sure that we understand everything he went over every little detail and keeps you updated every step of the way. Thank you so much for getting the settlement as fast you did” –Doha A.
Focus on Healing. Leave the Legal Battle to Us.
You deserve to collect compensation for your injuries and losses, and our law firm can help. As you focus on recovery, let us help you claim the compensation that you are entitled to. Call 866-226-6833 today to schedule your free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you feel chest pain after a car accident, you could have various injuries, some of which may be serious chest injuries. Immediately seek medical attention to assess the symptoms and determine the cause of the chest pain.
Accident victims who suffer chest pain after a car accident should seek immediate medical attention, as they could have serious injuries, such as a collapsed lung and other internal injuries.
While airbags are essential safety features, they can also cause injuries. They may pose a significant risk to young children if they are seated in the front passenger seat. It is best to seat children in the back seat.
Always follow the guidance of first responders who have medical training and seek medical attention as soon as you are released from the accident scene (if you are not taken to the hospital by ambulance).
If a first aid kit is available, you can:
- Clean minor wounds and abrasions with sterile wipes
- Apply antibacterial ointment and bandages to cuts and small wounds
- Use a cold pack for swelling and burns, but avoid touching the area
- Immobilize possible fractures
- Take slow, deep breaths if breathing is difficult
If you have shrapnel or foreign objects embedded in your skin, do not remove them. Wait for medical help.
The recovery period for chest pain depends on the type and severity of the injuries.
