The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, P.A.
19 West Flagler Street, Suite 618
Miami, Florida 33130
(305) 416-9805
(305) 416-9807
Faulty Airbags Attorney
Sean M. Cleary – Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
Since 1997, all motor vehicle manufacturers in the United States are required to equip their products with airbags. This obligation is mandated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, Occupant Crash Protection. While this legislation compels auto manufacturers to place air bags in all vehicles, it does not specify the airbag design nor does it stipulate the safety level airbags should provide. As a result, airbags sometimes fail to function properly, causing car accident victims to sustain more serious injuries than they would have suffered otherwise. Sadly, faulty airbags contribute to thousands of car accident related deaths every year.
Recognizing the faults in current vehicle safety standards and the need to keep auto manufacturers responsible for "cutting corners," Sean M. Cleary specializes in representing car accident victims who have suffered major personal injury due to defective vehicle design and manufacturing. Over the years, he has established a reputation as one of the well known Miami defective airbags lawyers. Please continue reading to learn more about the more common airbag defects caused by manufacturer negligence.
Airbags: Function & Defects
Airbags are placed in vehicles to protect occupants at the time of moderate and severe accidents. Frontal airbags are placed in the steering wheel and under the glove compartment. They inflate briefly during frontal collision to protect occupants from hitting their heads against the steering wheel, dashboard and windshield at the time of impact. In addition to frontal airbags, some vehicles are also equipped with side airbags. Located in the back seat, doors and/or roof, these devices remain inflated longer than frontal airbags in order to protect occupants during a rollover. Some of the newer vehicles feature combination airbags that promise enhanced protection during various types of accidents.
While airbags are expected to increase passenger safety, they can malfunction, leaving occupants at risk of serious, sometimes fatal, injuries. Some of the more common examples of airbag failure include:
- Defective Sensor / Control Unit. When the unit regulating airbag function fails, the collision is not registered and the airbag does not inflate.
- Slow Activation. Sometimes, airbags inflate too slowly, providing less than optimum protection at the time of impact.
- Forceful Activation. Airbags can also inflate too aggressively, causing head injury, including eye damage and brain injury.
Defective Airbags: Manufacturer Responsibility
While auto manufacturers are not expected to predict every possible car accident scenario, they are required to equip their products with all reasonable safety mechanisms. Placement of effective, properly functioning airbags in all vehicles is mandated by the law. If the manufacturer fails to meet this requirement, the vehicle occupant injured or killed as a result might be entitled to compensation. The negligent manufacturer can be held responsible for any and all medical expenses, pain and suffering, psychological distress, lost income and diminished future wages, as well as reduction in lifestyle suffered by victims and their families.
Contacting Your Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
As a highly regarded Miami personal injury law firm, the Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary offers effective personal injury legal representation. Mr. Cleary works tirelessly to build strong personal injury or wrongful death cases that provide victims or their families with just compensation. If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of an auto accident, please contact the skilled Miami auto accidents attorney, Sean M. Cleary, today at (305) 416-9805 for a free case evaluation and initiate prompt action. Mr. Cleary is experienced with a variety of car accident-related issues, including rollover, burn injury, brain injury and spinal cord injury.
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