Airbag Injuries

We all understand that airbags have to deploy quickly to save lives. However, this additional layer of protection can come at a very steep price. A person’s face, especially the eyes, is vulnerable to severe airbag injuries, and anytime an airbag is activated, there is the very real chance that anyone within range can be blinded by the impact. When an airbag is triggered by an auto accident caused by a negligent driver and people suffer airbag injuries, they are entitled to seek damages against the at-fault party and his or her insurance company. An experienced Orlando auto accident attorney is essential for getting the fair and just compensation they need to recover from their injuries as well as possible.

Have you suffered an airbag injury in an auto accident and have questions about your legal options? Call 386-243-4994 to schedule your free consultation!

A Very Real Risk of Blindness

A few years ago, an ophthalmology trauma team at UCLA conducted research on airbag injuries. They researched airbag injuries for two years and found that eye injuries ranged from bruising in and near the eye socket to ruptured eyeballs that were irreparable and blinded the victim for life. They also found that nearly all injury victims suffered from hyphema, or bleeding in the eyeball, and many also suffered from angle-recession glaucoma. This type of glaucoma is caused by tears in the eye’s drainage system. Since the eye’s natural fluids can no longer drain, pressure builds up in the eye and slowly destroys the victim’s sight. Victims with this condition require ongoing treatment or they suffer permanent blindness.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbags were developed to protect males around five feet, eight inches in height and weighing around 180 pounds. People who aren’t that tall and weigh less than that, particularly women and children, are at increased risk for serious eye and facial injuries due to the explosive force and angle of deployment.

Contact an Orlando Auto Accident Lawyer

Airbags have killed 227 people since 1990 and seriously injured thousands who struggle with blindness and disfigurement every day. If you of a close family member has suffered an airbag injury in a collision caused by a negligent driver or accidental deployment caused by a defective airbag, you may be entitled to damages to pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss and other hardships. Orlando car accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping injured people since 1977, and he is a passionate advocate for victims’ rights. Call him today at 386-243-4994, schedule a free consultation, get answers to your questions and get the help you need to regain your independence.