If you were injured by an airbag in Fort Worth, Texas, Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Contact us at (817) 400-5000 to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth airbag injury lawyer.
With over $40 million recovered for injured clients, our team is prepared to investigate complicated claims involving vehicle crashes, defective airbags, and other potentially dangerous vehicle components. We can handle the legal process while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
How Can Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers Help After an Airbag Injury in Fort Worth, TX?
Airbag injury claims in Fort Worth, TX, can be complicated because an injury may result from the collision itself, a defective airbag, or a combination of factors. Determining what happened may require examining the vehicle, airbag system, crash data, and other evidence.
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- Investigate the crash and airbag deployment
- Gather accident reports, photos, video, and medical records
- Preserve the vehicle and defective airbag components
- Review recalls and vehicle repair records
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Handle insurance negotiations
- Pursue your case in court when necessary
With over a decade of experience, we have the knowledge and resources to investigate complex airbag injury claims and pursue compensation from those responsible.
Contact our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers today for a free case review.
How Can Airbags Cause Injuries?
Airbags are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury during certain collisions, but their rapid deployment can still cause harm. Injuries may also occur when an airbag deploys improperly, deploys with excessive force, or fails to deploy.
Other potential causes of airbag injuries include:
- Defective inflators
- Faulty crash sensors
- Improper airbag installation
- Defective electrical components
- Problems caused by improper vehicle repairs
Determining whether an injury resulted from a normal deployment or an airbag defect may require a detailed investigation of both the collision and the vehicle.
What Injuries Can Airbags Cause?
Because airbags inflate extremely quickly, occupants can suffer injuries when they come into contact with a deploying airbag. The type and severity of an injury can depend on the force of the collision, seating position, type of airbag, and whether the system functioned properly.
Airbag injuries may include:
- Burns and abrasions
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing damage
- Broken bones
- Hand, wrist, and arm injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
Some injuries may require ongoing medical treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation. Medical records can also help document the nature of the injuries and their connection to the accident.
Who May Be Liable for an Airbag Injury in Fort Worth?
Responsibility for an airbag injury depends on why the injury occurred. If another driver caused the underlying collision, that driver may be liable. If a defective airbag contributed to the injury, a manufacturer or another party in the product’s chain of distribution may also be involved.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- A negligent driver
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The airbag manufacturer
- A manufacturer of a defective airbag component
- A dealership in certain circumstances
- A repair or maintenance facility
- Another person or business whose negligence contributed to the injury
Texas law recognizes product liability actions involving personal injuries allegedly caused by defective products, including claims based on theories such as strict products liability and negligence.
Some airbag injury cases may therefore involve both an ordinary car accident claim and a product liability claim.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover After an Airbag Injury?
If another party is legally responsible for your airbag injury, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the financial and personal consequences of the accident.
Depending on your case, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
The value of an airbag injury claim depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the treatment you require, whether you can return to work, the long-term effects of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and the evidence showing how the airbag contributed to your harm.
What if I Am Partly Responsible for My Airbag Injury in Texas?
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system known as proportionate responsibility. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, a claimant generally cannot recover damages when their percentage of responsibility is greater than 50%.
If you are 50% or less responsible, you may still be able to recover compensation, although the amount can generally be reduced according to your percentage of responsibility.
Fault can become particularly complicated when an airbag injury involves both a vehicle collision and an allegedly defective product. Evidence may be needed to determine how much of the harm resulted from the crash and whether an airbag defect caused or worsened the injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File an Airbag Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, airbag injury cases involving defective products can raise additional timing issues.
Because different deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances, it is important to determine how much time you have as soon as possible.
Contact a Fort Worth Airbag Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
An airbag injury can leave you facing medical expenses, missed work, pain, and uncertainty about who should be held responsible. If another driver’s negligence or a defective airbag caused or worsened your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers has recovered over $40 million for injured clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth airbag injury attorney.