Airbag Safety Tips

Like seat belts, airbags are an important car safety feature that is necessary in the event of an accident. Although air bags provide life-saving benefits for the vast majority of people, there are situations in which air bag deployment can have adverse effects, such as when passengers are unbelted. Front air bags do not eliminate the need for seat belts and are not designed to offer protection in rollovers, rear, or side impacts. Children can be killed or seriously injured by an air bag, so you should always put children age 12 and under in the rear seat. You should never use a rear-facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a front passenger air bag unless the air bag is off. Because the force of airbag deployment has the potential to injure a child or small-frame adult, many vehicles now come with an airbag shut-off switch. This kill switch is most commonly found in later pick-up truck, and sports car models.

Maximum air bag effectiveness depends upon seat belts, which help keep you in place if a collision occurs.  Serious injuries are less common, but severe or fatal injuries can occur to vehicle occupants very near an airbag or in direct contact when it deploys. These injuries may be sustained by drivers who are slumped over the steering wheel, unrestrained or improperly restrained occupants who slide forward in the seat during pre-crash braking, and properly belted drivers sitting close to the steering wheel. You can drastically reduce the risk of injury from an air bag simply by buckling your seat belt and keeping about 10 inches or more between your breastbone and the air bag.

For your safety, and the safety of your loved ones, ALWAYS buckle your seat belt. The safety features equipped in your vehicle work together, and in the event of an accident, a buckled seat belt is necessary for airbag safety. Remember, if you are ever involved in an accident do not hesitate to call the Injury Helpline for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer. We want to make sure you are safe and well taken care of!

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