Airbags are designed to help protect drivers and passengers during certain collisions. When an airbag does not deploy in a crash, especially when someone suffers serious injuries, it is reasonable to ask whether the safety system worked as intended.

Can you sue if your airbags didn’t deploy? Possibly. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve a defective airbag, a problem with the vehicle’s safety system, improper repairs, or another form of negligence. However, airbags are not designed to deploy in every collision, and nondeployment alone does not prove that a defect occurred.

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash and suspect an airbag malfunction contributed to the injuries, understanding your legal options can help you decide what to do next.

Why Are Airbags Important in a Car Accident?

Airbags are supplemental safety devices designed to work with seat belts. When deployment is appropriate for the type and severity of a collision, an airbag can help reduce the risk of a driver’s or passenger’s head and upper body striking parts of the vehicle interior.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal airbags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. Side airbags have different operating criteria based on the type and direction of an impact.

When a crash occurs, the airbag system uses sensors and other components to assess the collision and determine whether deployment is appropriate. If the system fails when an airbag should have deployed, an occupant may lose an important layer of protection.

Depending on the collision and the occupant’s position, injuries may include:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Facial injuries
• Neck and spinal injuries
• Chest injuries and broken ribs
• Internal injuries
• Other serious injuries that require emergency treatment or long-term rehabilitation

The injuries resulting from a crash may be caused by the collision itself, an alleged safety system defect, or a combination of factors. An investigation can help determine whether airbag nondeployment contributed to the harm.

Common Reasons Airbags May Not Deploy

There are several reasons an airbag may not deploy during a collision. Determining the cause is an important part of evaluating whether a legal claim may be appropriate.

1. A Defective Airbag or Airbag System

An airbag or its associated components may be defective because of a manufacturing problem, an unsafe design, or inadequate warnings or instructions. Potential issues may involve sensors, wiring, electronic control components, or the airbag module itself.

Under Washington’s product liability law, a manufacturer may be held responsible when a product was not reasonably safe as designed or because adequate warnings or instructions were not provided, and the defect caused harm. The specific legal requirements depend on the facts and applicable law.

Learn more about product liability claims in Washington.

2. Problems With the Vehicle’s Safety System

Airbags rely on a coordinated system of sensors, electronic controls, and deployment components. A malfunction in one of these parts may affect whether an airbag deploys as intended.

An investigation may examine whether the system was defective, whether it was functioning properly before the collision, and whether a particular failure contributed to the injuries.

3. Improper Repairs or Replacement Parts

A vehicle that has been involved in an earlier collision may have an airbag that was not replaced correctly or a replacement component that does not meet appropriate safety requirements.

Improper repairs, incomplete replacement work, or certain aftermarket parts may create safety risks. Depending on the evidence, a repair shop, dealership, manufacturer, or another party may have legal responsibility.

4. The Crash Did Not Meet the Airbag’s Deployment Conditions

Not every collision requires an airbag to deploy. Deployment depends on factors such as impact direction, crash severity, sensor readings, vehicle design, and occupant detection systems.

For example, a frontal airbag may not deploy in a lower-severity collision or in an impact where the system determines deployment is unnecessary. A collision that looks severe based on visible vehicle damage does not automatically establish that an airbag should have deployed.

For that reason, a qualified investigation is often necessary to distinguish normal system operation from a potential defect.

Can You Sue if Your Airbags Didn’t Deploy?

You may have grounds for a lawsuit if evidence shows that a defective airbag or another party’s negligence caused or worsened your injuries. The fact that an airbag did not deploy, by itself, is not enough to establish liability.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:

• The vehicle manufacturer: If a defective vehicle design or safety system caused the failure and resulting harm.
• The airbag or component manufacturer: If a defective airbag or component contributed to the injuries.
• A repair shop or dealership: If negligent repairs, improper installation, or other actionable conduct contributed to the malfunction.
• Another party involved in the collision: If that party’s negligence caused the crash or contributed to the injuries.

More than one party may share responsibility. Identifying the appropriate defendants requires examining the vehicle, the collision, the alleged defect, and the available evidence.

What Types of Legal Claims May Apply?

The facts of an airbag nondeployment case may support different types of legal claims.

Product Liability

A product liability claim may be appropriate if a defective airbag, component, or vehicle safety system caused harm. Under Washington law, the analysis may involve the product’s design, manufacturing, warnings, and instructions.

The evidence must support the applicable legal elements, including a connection between the alleged defect and the injuries.

Negligence

A negligence claim may apply when a party’s failure to exercise reasonable care contributes to the malfunction or resulting injuries. For example, evidence of improper repairs or failure to replace a previously deployed airbag may be relevant.

A claim against a repair shop or another service provider depends on the particular facts and applicable legal requirements.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one died in a crash and evidence indicates that an airbag defect or another party’s negligence contributed to the death, eligible family members or representatives may have a wrongful death or related claim. The available claim and recoverable damages depend on Washington law and the circumstances.

What Should You Do After a Crash in Which Your Airbags Didn’t Deploy?

If you believe an airbag failed during a collision, take steps to protect your health and preserve evidence.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Get medical care promptly, even if your injuries initially seem minor. Some injuries, including certain head injuries and internal injuries, may not be immediately obvious.

Follow your medical provider’s instructions and keep records of treatment, diagnoses, expenses, and any limitations the injuries cause.

2. Document the Collision and Your Injuries

If you can do so safely, preserve photographs and other available evidence, including:

• Damage to the outside of the vehicle
• The steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and airbag areas
• Any warning lights or airbag indicators
• Visible injuries and other relevant conditions at the scene
• The position of the vehicles and other circumstances surrounding the collision

Keep copies of the police report, medical records, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and witness information when available.

3. Preserve the Vehicle and Airbag System

The vehicle may contain important evidence about how the airbag system operated during the collision. Before authorizing repairs, disposing of the vehicle, or allowing potentially relevant components to be removed, seek legal guidance about preserving the evidence.

Do not dismantle or attempt to test the airbag system yourself. A qualified professional may need to inspect the vehicle and its electronic data. The appropriate preservation steps depend on the vehicle and the circumstances of the crash.

4. Check for Safety Recalls

Use NHTSA’s recall lookup tool to check whether your vehicle has an open safety recall. You can also report a suspected safety defect through NHTSA.

A recall or defect report may provide useful information, but it does not automatically prove that a defect caused your particular injuries.

5. Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney

An attorney experienced in vehicle accidents and product liability can help evaluate the potential causes of the malfunction, identify parties who may be responsible, and determine what evidence may be needed.

You can also review RHHK’s information about car accident claims in Washington.

What Must You Prove in an Airbag Failure Case?

The evidence needed depends on the type of claim. Generally, an investigation may need to establish several important points:

• A potential defect or other actionable conduct: Evidence must support the claim that the airbag or vehicle system was defective, or that another party acted negligently.
• Failure under the relevant circumstances: Technical evidence may be needed to assess whether the airbag should have deployed during the specific collision.
• Causation: The evidence must connect the alleged defect or negligent conduct to the injuries. A failure to deploy does not necessarily mean the failure caused every injury.
• Damages: Medical records, employment records, bills, expert opinions, and other evidence may help establish the losses resulting from the incident.

Depending on the case, an investigation may involve vehicle inspections, airbag system data, crash reconstruction, engineering analysis, recall information, maintenance records, and expert testimony.

What Compensation May Be Available?

If a claim is successful, compensation may be available for losses supported by the evidence and permitted under applicable law. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:

• Medical expenses already incurred
• Reasonable future medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Other legally recoverable losses
• Wrongful death damages, where applicable

The amount of any potential recovery depends on the nature and extent of the injuries, the evidence, the parties’ legal responsibility, and other case-specific factors.

Learn more about the types of damages available in a Washington personal injury claim.

Washington also follows a comparative fault system. When a claimant’s own negligence contributed to the harm, it may affect the damages recoverable under the applicable rules. Read more about comparative negligence in Washington.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Deadlines depend on the type of claim and the circumstances. Many Washington personal injury lawsuits are subject to a three-year statute of limitations, but product liability claims have their own rules.

Under RCW 7.72.060, a product liability claim generally must be brought within three years from when the claimant discovered, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, the harm and its cause, subject to applicable rules concerning extensions and tolling. Other claims may have different requirements.

Because the deadline can depend on when the claim accrued and what type of legal action applies, it is important not to assume that every claim begins or ends on the same date. Delaying an investigation may also make it harder to preserve vehicle evidence and records.

How Can an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Airbag failure cases can require technical investigation and careful analysis of product liability and negligence law. RHHK can evaluate the circumstances of your crash and help you understand your legal options.

Depending on the case, legal assistance may include:

• Reviewing the crash circumstances and available records
• Helping preserve the vehicle and other relevant evidence
• Investigating potential product defects and repair issues
• Working with qualified engineering or accident reconstruction professionals when appropriate
• Identifying potentially responsible parties
• Evaluating injury-related losses and insurance issues
• Handling negotiations and pursuing litigation when appropriate

Airbag nondeployment cases may overlap with both vehicle accident and product liability claims. An evaluation of the specific facts can help determine what options may be available.

Injured Because Your Airbags Didn’t Deploy?

If you were injured in a crash and believe an airbag failure contributed to your injuries, you do not have to evaluate the situation alone. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC helps injured people in Tacoma and throughout Western Washington understand their legal options.

Contact RHHK to discuss your situation and learn whether further investigation may be appropriate.

Call 253-383-5388 or visit our contact page to get in touch.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Whether a claim is available depends on the facts and applicable law. Consult a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.