An airbag injury does not necessarily mean the airbag was defective. Deployment itself can cause injuries, while a faulty inflator, counterfeit replacement, or recalled component raises a different question. Medical care and preservation of the vehicle help determine which issue the evidence supports.
Tell your provider that the airbag deployed and describe any burns, eye irritation, wrist or neck pain, chest symptoms, or symptoms that developed later. If a defect is suspected, the original airbag and related parts may be needed for an inspection before the vehicle is repaired or sent to salvage.
Why airbags can injure you even when they work
NHTSA’s air bag guidance explains that airbags are supplemental protection designed to work best with seat belts, not replace them, and that serious injuries can occur if an occupant is too close when the bag begins to deploy.
The CDC’s seat belt facts note that seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half, and also emphasize that airbags are added protection but not a substitute for buckling up.
NHTSA recommends keeping a 10-inch minimum between your breastbone and the airbag cover, sitting upright, and moving the seat back as far as practical while still safely reaching the pedals.
Common airbag injuries and symptoms to watch
Airbags deploy extremely fast, and the combination of force, friction, heat, and particulates can cause injuries that range from temporary irritation to severe trauma.
Skin and facial injuries (bruising, abrasions, burns)
A dermatology case report on airbag deployment injuries describes skin injuries that can include irritant dermatitis and thermal or chemical burns in some crashes (Cutis case report PDF).
The Cleveland Clinic chemical burn overview explains that chemical burns can affect skin or eyes and should be evaluated promptly because tissue damage can worsen after the initial exposure.
MedlinePlus lists symptoms that can accompany chemical exposure injuries, including eye pain or burning, skin blistering, and breathing difficulty, which are all reasons to seek medical care quickly.
Eye irritation and trauma
Abrupt airbag deployment can cause eye irritation or direct trauma, and Mayo Clinic first aid guidance for corneal abrasions emphasizes that a scratched cornea should be treated and monitored to reduce the risk of infection or worsening injury.
If your vision is blurry, you are sensitive to light, or you feel like something is stuck in your eye, treat that as a same-day medical issue rather than “normal airbag dust.”
Wrist and hand injuries
Bracing against the wheel or dash can transmit force into the wrist and forearm, and AAOS OrthoInfo explains that distal radius fractures (broken wrists) are common injuries that can require prolonged recovery depending on the fracture pattern and treatment.
Neck strain and whiplash-type symptoms
Mayo Clinic explains that whiplash often occurs when the head is thrown backward and then forward with force, which is a common mechanism in vehicle crashes even when the airbag deploys.
Concussion symptoms and “it got worse later” complaints
The CDC HEADS UP symptom list includes headaches, dizziness or balance problems, nausea or vomiting (especially early), vision problems, and feeling slowed down or foggy, and those symptoms should be documented and evaluated.
Ringing ears and noise-related hearing effects
NIDCD notes that noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, which is why new ringing in the ears after a crash with deployment should be taken seriously.
MedlinePlus explains that burns can result from heat or chemical agents, and any blistering, worsening pain, or spreading redness should be evaluated rather than “waited out.”
Defect and recall red flags (Takata, counterfeit, replacement inflators)
Not every airbag injury is proof of a defect, but some fact patterns should immediately trigger a recall check and evidence preservation.
- Shrapnel or penetrating injury: NHTSA’s Takata Recall Spotlight reports confirmed deaths and hundreds of alleged injuries tied to exploding Takata inflators, which can send metal fragments into occupants.
- Vehicle has an open recall or a “Do Not Drive” warning: NHTSA’s recall lookup lets you check by VIN, and some Takata-affected vehicles fall under Do Not Drive warnings.
- Airbag was replaced after a prior crash: NHTSA warns that counterfeit airbags can malfunction in ways ranging from non-deployment to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment.
- Suspicious aftermarket parts or bargain repairs: NHTSA’s consumer alert describes deaths and life-altering injuries tied to substandard replacement inflators and urges owners to confirm the vehicle has genuine inflators.
What to do after an airbag injury in Louisiana
- Get medical care and say the words “airbag deployed.” Ask the provider to document burns, eye irritation, wrist pain, chest symptoms, neck pain, and any delayed symptoms in the chart.
- Photograph the evidence before it changes. Take wide and close photos of the steering wheel, dash cover, airbag fabric, any powder residue, seat belt marks, and all visible injuries (then re-photograph bruising or burns as they evolve).
- Stop the “repair first, ask later” problem. If there is any chance of a defect issue, do not authorize disposal of parts, and do not let a shop throw away the airbag module or steering wheel without asking questions.
- Check recalls early. Use NHTSA’s VIN recall tool and save screenshots of what you find, including the date you checked.
- Be careful with recorded statements. If an adjuster calls quickly, keep it basic and avoid speculating about “why the airbag did that” until the facts are preserved.
Evidence preservation for airbag and defect claims
If a defect may have contributed to the injury, preserve the vehicle and components in a condition that permits an inspection.
- Preserve the vehicle location and status: tow yard name, storage lot address, and whether it is marked as a total loss.
- Preserve parts: steering wheel cover, airbag fabric, inflator, SRS module, and any removed components, with chain-of-custody notes.
- Preserve data: photos of warning lights, and any crash data downloads if available through qualified inspection.
- Preserve paper: repair estimates, work authorizations, and communications about parts replacement.
NHTSA notes that airbags can only deploy once and must be replaced after a crash, which is exactly why the original module and related components can disappear quickly if you do not act early.
If the situation points toward a product defect theory, Louisiana claims against manufacturers typically run through the Louisiana Products Liability Act, and real-world airbag cases often hinge on expert-driven proof rather than assumptions.
For an example of how an airbag non-deployment dispute can become an LPLA case, see the Fifth Circuit’s published opinion involving an LPLA airbag claim in Caboni v. General Motors (opinion PDF).
Our Defective Products guide explains the broader manufacturer-claim framework.
Situations with additional legal requirements
- A federal employee or federal vehicle may be involved: 28 U.S.C. § 2675 generally requires presenting an administrative claim to the appropriate agency before filing suit.
- You are worried about FTCA deadlines: 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b) sets a two-year presentment deadline and a six-month window after denial in many FTCA situations.
- You need to know what “presented” means: 28 C.F.R. § 14.2 (GovInfo PDF) describes presentment requirements, including the “sum certain” concept.
- A minor was injured and a defect is suspected: Louisiana Civil Code art. 3493.1 includes a limited “does not run against minors” rule in certain permanent disability product liability situations, but you should not assume it applies across every claim type.
- The vehicle is about to be repaired, totaled, or moved: your best defect evidence can disappear in days, sometimes hours, depending on the storage lot and insurer decisions.
Fault, product claims, and filing deadlines
Prescription (filing deadline): La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 generally provides two years from injury or damage for qualifying delictual actions arising on or after July 1, 2024. Earlier incidents may follow prior law, and special claims or circumstances can have different deadlines.
Comparative fault (51% bar starting Jan. 1, 2026): La. Civ. Code art. 2323 provides that, for incidents governed by the amendment effective January 1, 2026, if the injured person’s negligence is equal to or greater than 51%, they are not entitled to recover damages, and if it is less than 51%, damages are reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. Paragraph C preserves its exception for a negligent plaintiff harmed partly by an intentional tortfeasor. Earlier incidents may follow prior law.
Negligence vs. defect: Many airbag injury cases involve driver fault under La. Civ. Code art. 2315, while true defect cases may also involve manufacturer-focused rules under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, depending on what the evidence shows.
Fatal cases: When an airbag defect or crash causes a death, Louisiana recognizes wrongful death and survival actions with distinct standing and timing rules under La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2 and La. Civ. Code art. 2315.1.
Editorial & Legal Accuracy Notice (Louisiana)
This blog contains general legal and safety information and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and outcomes depend on specific facts.
Before the airbag or vehicle is discarded
If you need help investigating an airbag injury, call Babcock Injury Lawyers at (225) 500-5000 or use the case review form. The vehicle’s location, VIN, repair status, and any recall information are useful starting points. Keep photographs and medical records showing the injuries as they developed.