How Serious Does a Collision Have to Be for Airbags to Deploy?

As one of the most effective safety features in today’s vehicles, airbags provide cushioning against the solid surfaces in a vehicle that can lead to serious injuries in a crash. However, they only offer benefits when they function. So, how serious does a collision have to be for airbags to deploy?

Airbags typically deploy in moderate to severe crashes, starting at around 12 to 14 mph if hitting a solid barrier. In real-world accidents, deployment often occurs at speeds over 16 mph, depending on impact angle, sensors, and vehicle design.

As Pennsylvania car accident attorney with years of experience representing victims, I’ve tackled many airbag deployment issues and a wide range of other complicated legal matters. In this article, I’ll explain what factors trigger airbag deployment and how your remedies may extend into products liability concepts for defective airbags.

 

Are Airbags Part of All Vehicle Safety Systems?

Airbags play a critical role in vehicle safety systems in Pennsylvania and across the country. Although airbags are standard in most modern vehicles, not every car has the same type or number of airbags.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that federal regulations require frontal airbags in all passenger vehicles, but side airbags and curtain airbags are not mandatory in every vehicle. Airbags work alongside seat belts and electronic stability control to reduce injury risks in a Pennsylvania crash. Knowing their role helps Pennsylvania drivers and passengers know what to expect when accidents happen and what factors influence their deployment.

 

 

How Do Airbags Work in Pennsylvania Car Accidents?

Airbags in Pennsylvania vehicles rely on crash sensors to determine whether deployment is necessary. These sensors detect sudden deceleration or impact forces, sending a signal to the airbag control unit. When deployment conditions are met, the system triggers a small explosive charge to nitrogen gas, inflating the airbag within milliseconds. Airbags cushion occupants from hard surfaces like:

• Dashboards
• Steering wheels
• Windows and doors

In Pennsylvania crashes, airbags are meant to work in tandem with seat belts, providing a secondary layer of protection. However, they do not deploy in every collision, depending on impact type, speed, and other factors.

 

What Factors Determine Airbag Deployment?

Several factors influence whether airbags deploy during Pennsylvania car accidents. Impact force is the primary trigger, but airbag sensors also evaluate the collision angle and vehicle speed. In some situations, even lower-speed crashes can cause deployment if the vehicle hits a solid object, like a concrete barrier. Airbag systems also factor in:

• Occupant size
• Seatbelt use
• The position of seats

Pennsylvania drivers should know that airbags will not deploy if the crash does not meet the system’s programmed thresholds, meaning even significant damage may not automatically lead to airbag activation.

 

At What Speed Do Airbags Deploy?

In Pennsylvania car crashes, frontal airbags typically deploy in head-on collisions at speeds around 12 to 14 miles per hour if occupants are wearing seat belts. For an unbelted front seat passenger, airbags might deploy at slightly lower speeds, around 8 miles per hour. Side airbags, however, often require higher impact speeds, closer to 18 to 20 miles per hour.

These thresholds vary depending on the vehicle’s make and model. Airbags are designed to deploy when the collision force is comparable to hitting a solid object, meaning low-speed bumper taps or soft impacts may not trigger deployment at all.

 

Does the Direction of Collision Matter?

The angle and type of collision strongly influence whether airbags deploy in Pennsylvania accidents. As described by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

1. Frontal airbags are designed to activate in head-on or near head-on crashes, where the force comes from the front.
2. Side airbags respond to lateral impacts, like T-bone crashes.
3. Rear-end collisions rarely trigger airbags because most vehicles do not have rear airbags.

Even in serious rear-end crashes, the vehicle’s front airbags typically remain inactive unless secondary impacts occur. Pennsylvania drivers should understand that airbag deployment is highly directional and responds primarily to the zones directly equipped with sensors.

 

Do Airbags Work with Other Vehicle Safety Systems?

Airbags do not work in isolation during Pennsylvania car accidents. Modern vehicles are equipped with integrated safety systems, including:

• Seat belts
• An integrated child safety seat
• Crash sensors
• Electronic stability control
• Automatic braking

Airbags are one part of this larger system, designed to protect occupants when primary restraints, like seat belts, are already in use. In fact, airbags are most effective when paired with seat belts, which help position occupants properly during impact. Pennsylvania drivers need to recognize that relying solely on airbags for protection is not enough. Seat belts and other safety features play crucial roles.

 

What are Common Scenarios for Airbag Deployment?

Airbags deploy most often in moderate to severe Pennsylvania crashes involving significant impact to the front, side, or even roof of the vehicle. Head-on collisions with stationary objects, such as guardrails or trees, frequently trigger front airbag deployment. T-bone accidents at intersections often activate side airbags if the force hits the vehicle’s door area.

Rollovers can cause curtain airbags to inflate, providing head protection for occupants. However, not every serious-looking crash results in deployment, especially if sensors detect that seat belts alone are sufficient to protect occupants.

 

 

How Do Airbags Protect Occupants in Pennsylvania Head-on Collisions?

In Pennsylvania head-on crashes, frontal airbags provide critical protection to drivers and passengers. When the front of the vehicle absorbs the impact, sensors activate airbags to cushion the occupants’ upper bodies and heads. These airbags rapidly inflate between the person and the steering wheel or dashboard. Without airbags, occupants could suffer severe head trauma, facial fractures, and chest injuries.

In Pennsylvania, head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes, which is why properly functioning airbags play such a vital role in reducing injury severity when these violent impacts occur.

 

Can Airbags Safeguard Occupants in Underride Collisions in Pennsylvania?

Underride collisions in Pennsylvania are particularly dangerous because smaller vehicles slide underneath larger vehicles, like trucks. While airbags may deploy in these situations, their effectiveness depends on the angle and severity of impact. If the collision crushes the passenger compartment or bypasses the vehicle’s front crash sensors, airbags might not deploy at all.

However, if the vehicle’s sensors detect rapid deceleration or force to the front end, frontal airbags could activate. In Pennsylvania, underride crashes highlight the limitations of airbags: They help in certain impacts, but structural design also matters significantly.

 

Do Airbags Protect in Side-Impact & T-Bone Crashes?

Side airbags are crucial for protecting Pennsylvania occupants in T-bone and side-impact crashes. These collisions often happen at intersections when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign. Side airbags deploy from the door panels or seats, creating a cushion between occupants and the striking vehicle.

Without side airbags, occupants’ heads, shoulders, and chests are vulnerable to direct contact with doors or window frames. Pennsylvania drivers should understand that side airbags are not standard in all vehicles, so knowing their car’s safety features can impact injury outcomes in these types of accidents.

 

Will an Airbag Help for Sideswipe Collisions in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania sideswipe accidents, airbag deployment is less common than in head-on or T-bone crashes. Sideswipes involve vehicles scraping along each other, often at lower speeds. The force generated in a sideswipe may not be enough to trigger airbag sensors. However, airbags could deploy as a secondary response if the impact causes the vehicle to:

• Spin
• Rollover
• Hit a stationary object

 

 

What Types of Injuries are Caused by Airbags?

While airbags are essential safety devices in Pennsylvania vehicles, they can also cause injuries when they deploy. Airbags inflate with explosive force, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This sudden deployment can lead to:

• Facial fractures
• Broken noses
• Burns
• Eye injuries

Airbag chemicals can also irritate lungs or skin, especially for occupants with asthma or sensitive skin. In Pennsylvania crashes, injuries from airbags often occur when occupants sit too close to the steering wheel or dashboard. Understanding these potential injuries helps injured drivers evaluate all factors contributing to their medical concerns.

 

Why Didn’t My Airbags Go Off During My Crash in Pennsylvania?

When airbags fail to deploy in Pennsylvania crashes, there are several potential explanations. The collision might not have reached the system’s deployment threshold, meaning the impact force was too low. Sensor positioning also matters—if the crash force did not strike a sensor-equipped area, the system might not have detected a triggering event.

Airbags may also fail due to electrical malfunctions or prior repairs that involved disabling the system. Pennsylvania drivers should know that airbag failure does not automatically indicate a defect, but thorough investigation is needed to understand the cause.

 

Could Manufacturing Defects be Related to Airbag Failure?

Airbag manufacturing defects have caused numerous failures and recalls across the United States, including Pennsylvania. Airbag failures have been linked to:

• Defective inflators
• Faulty sensors
• Improper wiring

In some cases, airbags deployed too late or with excessive force, while others failed to deploy entirely. Pennsylvania drivers involved in crashes where airbags malfunctioned should consider whether defective components contributed to the failure.

 

Do I Have a Strict Product Liability Claim for Defective Airbags?

In Pennsylvania, injured drivers and passengers may have grounds for a strict product liability claim if defective airbags failed to deploy or deployed improperly. Strict liability applies when a product, like an airbag, is defective in its design, manufacturing process, or warnings provided to consumers.

Unlike negligence claims, strict liability does not require proof that the manufacturer acted carelessly. Pennsylvania accident victims only need to show the airbag was defective and that defect caused their injuries. Product liability claims can be complex, but they play a critical role in holding companies accountable for unsafe products.

 

 

Can I Sue a Defective Airbag Manufacturer for Negligence?

Pennsylvania accident victims may also pursue negligence claims against airbag manufacturers. In a negligence case, the injured party must prove the manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in:

• Designing the airbag
• Manufacturing and testing the product
• Warning about the airbag’s potential risks

For example, if a Pennsylvania airbag manufacturer ignored safety data showing a risk of sensor malfunction, that could support a negligence claim. Unlike strict liability, negligence claims focus on the manufacturer’s conduct rather than the product itself. This type of claim can apply when airbag defects stem from poor quality control or careless assembly processes.

 

What are Common Misconceptions About Airbags?

Many Pennsylvania drivers hold misconceptions about airbags, including the belief that airbags always deploy in every crash. In reality, airbags are designed for moderate to severe impacts and may not activate in low-speed accidents.

Another misconception is that airbags alone provide full protection. Airbags work best when occupants wear seat belts, which help position them correctly for airbag cushioning. Some believe airbags only deploy in front-end crashes, but side airbags exist for lateral impacts.

 

Can Airbag Deployment Failure Impact My Car Accident Claim?

When airbags fail to deploy in a Pennsylvania accident, that failure could affect the injured party’s claim for compensation. If the absence of airbag protection contributed to more severe injuries, the injured party might have a product liability claim in addition to their standard car accident claim.

Pennsylvania insurance adjusters and defense attorneys could also argue that injuries would have been less severe if the airbag worked properly. Documentation of the airbag failure, including crash data and vehicle diagnostics, can play a key role in strengthening an injured driver’s legal case after a Pennsylvania accident.

 

What Compensation Can I Recover for a Defective Airbag Case?

In a defective airbag case in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for several types of compensation. These damages can help address the full impact of your injuries:

1. Economic Damages – These cover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and out-of-pocket costs.
2. Noneconomic Damages – These compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
3. Punitive Damages – In cases of extreme negligence by the airbag manufacturer, punitive damages may apply to punish wrongdoing and deter similar misconduct.

 

 

Does Pennsylvania’s Comparative Fault Law Apply to Seat Belt Use?

Pennsylvania follows a comparative fault system, meaning compensation can be reduced if the injured party’s actions contributed to their injuries. Failing to wear a seat belt can be factored into this analysis.

However, Pennsylvania law limits how seat belt non-use can be presented in court—it generally cannot be used as evidence of negligence. This means not wearing a seat belt does not bar compensation entirely, but it can still affect settlement negotiations, especially if the airbag failure occurred while the occupant was unrestrained. Legal advice can clarify how these issues apply in specific cases.

Call Now to Speak to a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania?

While severity of the crash is a factor, there are many reasons airbags deploy in a car accident. If you were injured in a collision in Philadelphia, and you believe airbag failure contributed to your injuries, experienced legal representation can make all the difference. Tackling airbag systems, product liability laws, and Pennsylvania car accident claims requires skill and legal knowledge.

Let Mattiacci Law fight for the compensation you deserve. Call 215-914-6919 today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and learn how we can protect your rights.