Are You Suffering From An Airbag Deployment Concussion?
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to rapidly move inside the skull, damaging the brain cells. People often associate concussions with car crashes, or slip and fall accidents where someone strikes their head on a car window or the floor. Concussions, however, can occur for less obvious reasons, like being struck by a deploying airbag. While it can be a bit more complicated to recover compensation for these kinds of injuries, it is still possible, especially with the help of an experienced attorney.
How Airbags Work
Airbags are made of thin, nylon fabrics that are folded into the steering wheel, dashboard, seat, or door in a car. When a special sensor registers a collision, the airbag system ignites a solid propellant. This burns rapidly, creating a large volume of gas and inflating the bag with nitrogen gas. This all happens very quickly. In fact, when airbags burst from their storage sites they do so at around 200 mph. Within a few seconds of impact, the gas dissipates through tiny holes placed throughout the bag, deflating to allow the vehicle’s occupant to move.
Airbags Can Cause Concussions
Although airbags protect us from severe injuries, cushioning the blow of a collision, they can also cause injuries. This makes sense when you think about how fast they deploy. Sometimes the injury occurs not when a person’s head actually strikes the airbag, but on the rebound when it hits the back of the seat. Accident victims who were recently involved in a collision in which their airbags deployed should keep an eye out for the following symptoms, which could indicate a concussion:
- Ongoing headaches;
- A temporary loss of consciousness;
- Confusion
- Dizziness;
- Blurred vision;
- Sensitivity to light;
- A ringing in the ears; and
- Nausea or vomiting.
Anyone who strikes their head, even on an airbag, and who begins experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor right away. Doing so not only ensures that a person is diagnosed and begins treatment as soon as possible, but can also create a record that links the accident to a particular injury.
Long-Term Complications
Concussions can have long-term complications, leaving victims to struggle with:
- Sensitivity to light and sounds;
- Fatigue or insomnia;
- Mood changes;
- Focus and concentration;
- Memory.
These types of post-concussive symptoms can last for anywhere from a few months to decades, impacting a person’s life in many ways. Besides being painful and uncomfortable, concussions can make it impossible to earn a living and can affect an injured party’s personal relationships. Fortunately, accident victims who can prove that someone else’s negligence caused their crash, could be entitled to compensation to cover some of these losses.
Were You Injured in a Car Crash?
If you were diagnosed with a concussion after a collision, call the dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Boone & Davis for help seeking reimbursement for your medical bills and other losses. You can reach us at 954-566-9919, or via online message.
Sources:
cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217397/
