January 6, 2025 | Car Accidents
Airbags are a required safety feature in all modern automobiles. They open and fill with air when an auto accident occurs.
Since the introduction of airbags approximately 50 years ago, they’ve been credited with saving thousands of lives, reducing driver deaths by 29% in front-end crashes. Front seat passengers over the age of 13 are also safer with airbags. They have reduced front-seat fatalities by 32%.
Unfortunately, airbags sometimes fail. Reports of malfunctions can lead people to wonder how these safety devices work and at what speed they are supposed to deploy. Learn how a car accident lawyer in Chicago can help you if your airbags failed during an accident.
How Do Airbags Work?
Airbags contain sensors that detect a sudden change in direction or speed. The sensors send a signal to the airbag that activates a small explosive charge that inflates the bag with gas. The bags inflate quickly, usually taking less than a second to fill.
Most cars contain airbags that are made of a flexible and durable material. The choice of material helps to create a firm yet malleable buffer between occupants and the hard surfaces inside a vehicle’s interior.
Types of Airbags
Many types of airbags may be installed in your vehicle. The purpose of using a variety of styles is to protect different parts of the body in different crash scenarios. For example, the impact of a head-on collision requires different protection than a side collision.
The most common types of airbags are:
- Side curtain airbags for protection in rollover accidents
- Side door airbags for protection in side impacts
- Knee airbags to protect knees and legs
- Inflatable seat belts to spread the force of an impact across a wider area of the body
- Front airbags to protect in all types of collisions
Front airbags have been required by law since 1991.
Average Airbag Deployment Times
Each type of airbag has a different threshold for deployment. Some have more than one setting and react differently depending on the type of impact. Front airbags typically deploy in impacts at the front of the vehicle in crashes between 10 and 16 mph. They may also open during rear or side collisions.
Some manufacturers are installing front airbags with two thresholds as extra protection when people aren’t wearing a safety belt. When the sensor detects an unbelted occupant, the bag will deploy around 10-12 mph. For belted occupants, deployment is around 16 mph.
Side curtain airbags are designed to protect occupants in rollover crashes. They deploy when sensors detect a rollover and not at a specific speed.
Side door airbags deploy faster than most other types because they are located in areas of the car where impact could make direct contact. A side airbag could be the only thing between you and an oncoming vehicle or obstruction. Most are designed to deploy at 8 mph for hitting narrow objects like trees and 18 mph for vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.
Knee and seat belt airbags deploy similarly to front airbags — between 10 and 16 mph.
Can I Remove Airbags From My Vehicle?
It is highly discouraged to remove airbags. If you wish to disable the airbags in your vehicle, you should check with a reputable mechanic or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before doing so.
There are some scenarios that might call for the removal of airbags, including:
- Children must occupy the front seat
- Drivers must sit closer than 10 inches to the steering wheel
- Certain medical exemptions
The NHTSA or a local mechanic or dealership can provide you with further information and instructions.
The Last Word: Are Airbags Safe?
In light of airbag recalls, concerns about airbag safety are understandable. With some exceptions, properly functioning airbags reduce catastrophic injuries and fatalities. If you believe you have a valid reason to remove or disable an airbag, go through the proper channels before doing so.
Contact our Car Accident Law Firm at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Chicago, IL, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Our dedicated team is here to provide the expert guidance you need to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced attorneys at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers
875 N Dearborn St 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 635-5400
Open 24/7