Quick Answer
Airbags are designed to save lives, and they do a pretty good job. But even if they do save lives, airbag injuries are still possible.
Front airbags reduce driver fatalities by 29%1 and front-seat passenger fatalities by 32% in frontal crashes.
Since becoming standard in the late 1990s, airbags have saved over 50,000 lives in the U.S. alone.
While airbags play a critical role in protecting drivers and passengers, they can also cause airbag injuries during deployment, especially in high-speed collisions or when safety restraints aren’t used properly.
From burns and fractures to more serious trauma, airbag-related injuries can range from uncomfortable to life-altering.
If you’ve been injured by an airbag in a car accident, you might be wondering: Is this normal? Can I file a claim? What compensation am I entitled to?
In this post, we’ll break down 7 of the most common airbag injuries, what causes them, and what to know if you’re pursuing a claim.
Keep reading as it’s information worth having before you get back behind the wheel.
Why Airbags Can Cause Injuries
Airbags are engineered to reduce fatal injuries, not eliminate harm entirely.
To do their job effectively, airbags must deploy with incredible force, often at speeds of 150 to 200 mph in just milliseconds.
That force, combined with body positioning at the moment of impact, is what makes airbag-related injuries possible.
Here are the most common types of injuries airbags can cause:
1. Facial injuries
The airbag inflates so quickly that it can strike the face before a person has time to react.
This may lead to broken noses, fractured cheekbones, bruising, eye injuries, or dental damage, especially if you’re sitting close to the steering wheel.
2. Chest injuries
Airbags are designed to absorb impact, but the blunt force to the chest can still cause bruised or fractured ribs, sternum injuries, or breathing difficulty.
These are particularly common in older adults or those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
3. Neck and spinal injuries
The sudden jolt of airbag deployment can cause whiplash, cervical spine strain, or even disc injuries.
If your head snaps forward while the airbag deploys, the combined motion can place extreme pressure on your neck and upper spine.
4. Soft tissue injuries
Common but often overlooked, these include strains, sprains, and muscle tears in the shoulders, arms, and upper torso.
This can be caused by the force of impact or the way you’re positioned at deployment.
5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
In severe crashes, the head can still strike hard surfaces even with airbag cushioning.
In such cases, concussions or more serious TBIs may occur, particularly if the airbag deploys late or malfunctions.
6. Internal injuries
Though rare, the airbag's force can cause internal bleeding or organ trauma, especially in the abdomen or chest, depending on your body size and position at impact.
7. Burn injuries
Airbags release hot gas and chemical residues when deploying.
This can cause thermal burns, chemical burns, or abrasions on the face, neck, arms, and chest if you’re wearing short sleeves or exposed skin.
While airbags significantly reduce the risk of death in a collision, they can still cause serious injuries.
Understanding how these injuries happen can help you know what symptoms to watch for after a crash and whether you may be eligible to file an injury claim.
Steps To Take After an Airbag Injury
If you’ve been injured by an airbag during a car accident, your next steps matter, both for your recovery and for any claim you may need to make.
Even if the crash seemed minor, airbag-related injuries can have lasting effects.
Here’s what to do immediately after:
1. Seek medical attention
Always get checked by a medical professional, even if the injury seems minor. Airbag injuries like burns, facial trauma, or soft tissue damage may not fully show up until hours later.
More serious issues like internal injuries or concussions, require urgent diagnosis and treatment.
2. Preserve evidence
If possible, take photos of your injuries, the deployed airbag, and the condition of the vehicle interior.
Don’t discard burned clothing or medical supplies, as they could be useful if you pursue a claim.
3. Document the accident
Write down what happened while it’s fresh in your mind. Include your position in the vehicle, whether you were wearing a seatbelt, the speed at impact, and how the airbag deployed.
Request a copy of the police report, as it provides an official record of the crash.
4. Contact your insurance company
Notify your insurer promptly and provide a basic account of the accident and any visible injuries.
Be factual but avoid speculating or assigning blame during initial conversations.
5. File a settlement claim
You may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage.Mighty's AI handles the claim for you — building your case file, opening your claim with the insurance company, and negotiating a settlement for you to approve. For serious or disputed claims (especially those involving defective airbags or manufacturer recalls), Mighty's marketplace helps to match you with a vetted lawyer who only gets paid on the increase to your existing offer.
Who Is Liable for Airbag Injuries?
Airbag injuries can happen for a variety of reasons, from the sheer force of deployment in a high-speed crash to defects in the airbag system itself.
Determining who’s responsible depends on what caused the injury. In some cases, liability may fall on the driver who caused the accident, while in others, it may involve the manufacturer or even a repair shop.
Here are the main parties that could be held liable:
1. Vehicle manufacturer
If the airbag system was installed with a known defect or failed to deploy as intended, the carmaker may be legally responsible.
A major example is the Takata airbag recall2, which affected millions of vehicles across brands like Honda, Toyota, and Ford. These airbags were linked to at least 27 deaths and hundreds of injuries due to defective inflators.
Similarly, General Motors has faced lawsuits over faulty airbag sensors that failed to trigger in serious crashes.
2. Airbag manufacturer
If the airbag unit itself is defective, even if the vehicle was otherwise safe, the airbag supplier can be held liable.
This includes faulty inflators, sensor malfunctions, or delayed deployment.
Takata Corporation, for example, has faced global legal action and bankruptcy following widespread injuries caused by exploding airbags.
3. Mechanic or repair shop
If a vehicle was recently serviced and the airbag system was installed incorrectly, disabled, or damaged during repair, the shop may bear responsibility.
Improper installation or failure to recalibrate safety systems after a crash or recall can lead to malfunction.
4. Another driver
If the airbag deployed properly but caused injury during a crash that wasn’t your fault, the at-fault driver may be liable for both the accident and any airbag-related injuries.
Their insurance would typically cover your damages through a third-party claim.
Liability for airbag injuries isn’t always clear-cut. It depends on whether the injury was caused by a defect, human error, or the crash itself. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility.
If you suspect a defect or improper repair played a role, it’s worth investigating further, especially if your injuries are serious or permanent.
Compensation for Airbag Injuries
If you’ve suffered an airbag-related injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation even if the crash itself was relatively minor.
Injuries like facial fractures, burns, whiplash, or internal trauma can lead to significant medical costs and long-term discomfort.
The compensation process is designed to help you recover those losses.
What can you claim?
Compensation for airbag injuries may include:
- Medical expenses: Hospital visits, treatments, physical therapy, and future care
- Lost wages: If your injury prevents you from working temporarily or permanently
- Pain and suffering: For physical discomfort, emotional distress, or lasting trauma
- Property damage: If your vehicle was also damaged in the crash
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Such as travel to medical appointments or medication costs
How does the claims process work?
- Seek medical attention and document your injuries
This creates a medical record, which is essential for any claim. - Report the accident
Notify your insurer promptly, and if the airbag malfunctioned, mention the defect. - Gather documentation
Collect medical records, photos, accident reports, and repair invoices. - File a claim
You can submit your claim through your insurer or, in defect cases, directly to the manufacturer or a third party. - Negotiate the settlement
The insurer may offer a settlement, which you can accept or challenge based on your documented losses.
How Mighty's AI handles your claim
Mighty's AI does the work for you:
- Builds your case file from your police report, medical records, and supporting documentation
- Opens your claim with the insurance company and sends your case file as it grows
- Negotiates with insurance on your behalf and helps you push back on lowball offers
- Routes you your payment if the offer is fair
- If the insurance company won't move, vetted lawyers in Mighty's network bid to take your case. Mighty's marketplace helps to match you with a lawyer who only gets paid on the increase to your existing offer.
What’s a Typical Settlement Amount for Airbag Injuries?
Settlement amounts for airbag injuries can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the injury, medical costs, and impact on your life.
While every case is unique, here are average payout ranges based on injury type in U.S. car accident claims involving airbag deployment:
1. Facial injuries
- Includes broken noses, dental damage, eye trauma, and facial fractures.
- Typical settlement: $10,000 – $50,000
- Higher payouts apply if there’s permanent scarring or reconstructive surgery required.
2. Chest injuries
- Includes bruised or fractured ribs, sternum injuries, or difficulty breathing from blunt airbag impact.
- Typical settlement: $5,000 – $25,000
- More serious injuries affecting the lungs or heart can exceed this range.
3. Neck and spinal injuries
- Includes whiplash, herniated discs, or cervical spine trauma.
- Typical settlement: $15,000 – $100,000+
- Payouts depend heavily on long-term impact, ongoing treatment, and work limitations.
4. Soft tissue injuries
- Includes strains, sprains, and muscle tears in the shoulders, neck, or upper body.
- Typical settlement: $2,500 – $15,000
- Usually on the lower end unless recovery takes weeks or months.
5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Includes concussions, cognitive impairment, or permanent neurological damage.
- Typical settlement: $75,000 – $500,000+
- TBI claims can reach six figures, especially when symptoms are long-lasting or disabling.
6. Internal injuries
- Includes internal bleeding, organ damage, or complications from blunt-force trauma.
- Typical settlement: $25,000 – $250,000
- Higher payouts apply when surgery or intensive care is involved.
7. Burn injuries
- Includes thermal or chemical burns from airbag deployment.
- Typical settlement: $10,000 – $100,000+
- Severity, scarring, and location of the burn affect the amount significantly.
These figures are general estimates. Your actual settlement will depend on medical documentation, insurance limits, lost income, pain and suffering, and the strength of your claim.
Anything Else You Need to Know About Airbag Injuries?
While airbags are designed to protect you, it’s important to understand that injury from a safety device doesn’t necessarily mean something went wrong.
But in certain cases, the injury may point to defective equipment, improper installation, or negligence, and those details matter.
Here are a few final points to keep in mind:
1. Not all injuries are immediately visible
Burns, soft tissue damage, concussions, or internal injuries may not show symptoms right away. Always seek medical attention after an airbag deployment, even if you feel fine at first.
2. Airbags should work with seatbelts, not instead of them
Many serious airbag injuries occur when occupants aren't wearing seat belts or are seated too close to the steering wheel.
Proper seat belt use reduces the risk of injury significantly.
3. Children and small adults are more vulnerable
Front airbags can be dangerous for small children or shorter adults seated too close. It’s safest for children under 13 to ride in the back seat with appropriate restraints.
4. Keep an eye out for recalls
Vehicle and airbag recalls (like the Takata recall) are more common than you might think.
Check your car’s VIN on the NHTSA recall website to make sure your airbag system is safe.
5. You don’t need a lawyer for every case — but don’t rule it out
For most cases with clear liability, Mighty's AI handles the claim work for free. For severe injuries, long-lasting effects, or cases linked to a defective airbag, Mighty's marketplace helps to match you with a vetted lawyer who only gets paid on the increase to your existing offer.
Should You File a Claim for Your Injuries or Contact a Lawyer?
Open the claim — but use Mighty to do it. Mighty's AI builds your case file, opens your claim with the insurance company, negotiates a settlement for you to approve, and routes you your payment if the offer is fair. For most accident claims, that's all you need — and you keep 100% of your settlement.
Only hire a lawyer when you need one, which is rarely in the first month or two after an accident. Waiting has two big advantages. First, you may not need one at all, in which case avoiding their fees leaves you with 33% to 40% more of your settlement. Even if you do need one, waiting until you have more information about your case - including an offer from insurance - gives you leverage to negotiate the lawyer's fee down from the standard rate.
A lawyer is genuinely necessary when injuries are serious, liability is disputed, multiple parties are involved, or the insurance company refuses to engage. For those cases — including ones involving a defective airbag or a manufacturer recall — Mighty's marketplace helps to match you with a vetted lawyer who only gets paid on the increase to your existing offer.
Sources
1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/appxa.pdf
- Takata Airbag Recall - https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/takata-recall-spotlight
Know Your Claim’s Worth—and Settle It
Serious injury or no injury at all, move your case forward instantly from your phone.
Thank you for submitting your information.
About the author
Joshua is a lawyer and tech entrepreneur who speaks and writes frequently on the civil justice system. Previously, Joshua founded Betterfly, a VC-backed marketplace that reimagined how consumers find local services by connecting them to individuals rather than companies. Betterfly was acquired by Takelessons in 2014. Joshua holds a JD from Emory University, and a BA in Economics and MA in Accounting from the University of Michigan.
