If your car’s airbags do not deploy during an accident, you may have a case. In this instance, you may be able to sue the driver responsible for your accident, the automaker that built your car, or both. By partnering with an experienced South Carolina car accident lawyer, you can hold any at-fault parties responsible for their actions.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has plenty of experience with auto accident cases in South Carolina. We can learn about your automobile crash and find out who is at fault for it. To get started, please reach out to us.
There Are Many Reasons Why Your Car’s Airbags Will Not Deploy During a Crash
Over the course of a 30-year period, frontal airbags saved more than 50,000 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Frontal and side airbags reduce the risk of injury or death in crashes. However, there can be instances where a vehicle’s airbags do not deploy properly and put drivers and passengers in danger.
A car owner should expect their vehicle’s frontal and side airbags to work in a serious crash. Yet, there are several reasons why airbags do not deploy as they should. These reasons include:
- Defective airbag system
- Faulty crash sensor
- Airbags were not replaced following a prior crash
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we understand the problems that can come up due to airbags that do not deploy as expected. If you were injured in an auto crash in which the airbags did not inflate, please let us know. Our South Carolina car accident attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Do Not Wait to Submit a Claim Due to Faulty Airbags
In South Carolina, you have a maximum of three years from the date of an auto crash to submit a personal injury claim. For those who get hurt due to airbags that do not inflate in an auto accident, file your claim immediately. If you do not ask for compensation in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations, you lose the right to request damages down the line.
Following an auto accident in which your airbags do not work, get medical help. You can go to a doctor to treat any injuries you incur. Keep track of any medical costs and other expenses relating to your incident, too.
Next, it pays to connect with a Charleston car accident lawyer in South Carolina. Choose an attorney who has helped past clients achieve outstanding case results in auto accident claims. Your lawyer can take a look at your case and help you file a lawsuit against any negligent parties.
An Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help You Figure Out Who to Sue
The best car accident attorney in South Carolina understands that every case is its own entity. They commit as much time as needed to learn about your auto accident, why it happened, and who is responsible for your vehicle’s airbags not deploying. At this point, your attorney prepares your case and puts you in a great position to secure compensation.
To determine why your car’s airbags did not deploy, your attorney will work with you to conduct research. They will look at some of the factors that should cause your airbags to inflate, such as:
- How fast your car was traveling before your accident
- The other vehicle involved in your accident
- Where your vehicle’s crash sensors are located
- Your vehicle’s design
Your lawyer looks for any airbag deployment issues that were previously undiagnosed or unaddressed. Once your attorney identifies the root cause for your car’s airbag issues, they can file your lawsuit. They may encourage you to pursue thousands of dollars in compensation from the driver involved in your accident and your car’s manufacturer.
A Car Accident Lawyer Will Encourage You to Request Economic and Non-Economic Damages
In a personal injury lawsuit, you can ask for economic and non-economic compensation. A judge or jury may award economic damages based on your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses that you can quantify. They may give you economic damages depending on the pain, suffering, and other subjective losses you incur.
Your attorney can help you calculate the damages for your car accident in which your airbags did not work correctly. They will ask you to consider things like who is paying for your rental car after your accident and other factors. Your lawyer can then determine a suitable amount of compensation to request.
Of course, even though you ask for compensation, there is no guarantee you will get them. You and your attorney must gather and evaluate evidence and make sure that you are fully prepared to present it in court. If you have a compelling argument, the defendant in your case may be willing to settle before your trial date.
Your Attorney Can Advise You on How to Proceed with an Auto Accident Settlement
When the airbags on your car fail to work, the driver in your auto accident case or the manufacturer of your vehicle may realize that they are at fault. If this happens, you may get a settlement offer shortly after the incident. The offer allows you to receive money right away in exchange for giving up your right to pursue additional compensation.
Your attorney can provide you with insights into a settlement offer. They can also explain how a personal injury settlement is determined. With help from your attorney, you can make an informed decision about whether a settlement lines up with your expectations.
Under no circumstances should you accept a settlement offer that falls short of what you want. If you are unhappy with a settlement proposal, you can decline it without penalty. In this situation, your lawyer can notify the defendant about your decision, and you and your attorney can continue to strengthen your case.
Get the Legal Help You Need If Your Car’s Airbags Do Not Deploy During an Accident
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm offers legal assistance to those in need of a car accident attorney. For more information or to request a free case evaluation, please contact us today.
