Airbags are supposed to protect you in the event of a crash—not cause more harm. Unfortunately, some airbags can fail to deploy properly or explode with too much force, making your injuries even worse than the accident itself. If you’ve been injured due to a defective airbag, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability claim. At Schmolke Law Firm, we help individuals in Baton Rouge understand their rights and take legal action after serious vehicle-related injuries.

How Can an Airbag Be Defective?

Airbags can malfunction in several ways, including:

• Failure to deploy during a crash
• Delayed deployment, which reduces effectiveness
• Overly forceful deployment that causes head, neck, or facial trauma
• Shrapnel or debris caused by exploding airbag components (as seen in the Takata recalls)
• Deployment when no collision occurred, causing unnecessary harm

These types of failures can lead to significant injuries, including broken bones, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and even wrongful death.

Who Is Liable for a Defective Airbag?

If a defective airbag contributed to your injuries, several parties may be held responsible:

• Airbag manufacturer
• Vehicle manufacturer
• Auto parts supplier
• Dealership or repair shop, if improper installation or servicing played a role

Under product liability laws, manufacturers and other parties involved in the distribution chain can be held accountable when a product is unreasonably dangerous or fails to perform as intended.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Victims of defective airbags may be eligible to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Future medical care
• Property damage

If the airbag defect led to a fatality, surviving family members may also have grounds for a wrongful death claim.

How Schmolke Law Firm Can Help

At Schmolke Law Firm, we assist Baton Rouge residents who have suffered injuries due to faulty airbags. These cases often require extensive investigation and the involvement of engineering experts to prove the defect and connect it to your injuries. Our team is prepared to handle the legal process so you can focus on recovery.