There are many ways that airbags save lives, but there are also many ways they can cause injury. Many people who have been involved in accidents in Houston can testify to how an airbag can hit you ‘upside the head’ or ‘in the face’ when it deploys – the short jolt from an inflatable device smacking into the face or body is enough to cause injuries that you may not even recognize until later on. Some say that deploying an airbag feels like being punched by a very fast hot pillow, while some say they did not feel anything at first due to their initial shock. Regardless, a person can suffer serious airbag-related injuries that could have been prevented with proper education. On top of the airbag-inflicted injury, there’s a lot of additional nonsense that comes with having to deal with multiple insurance companies, cumbersome paperwork, medical bills, and of course, the multitude of insurance adjusters calling you for a statement about your accident. Therefore, let us slow it down a bit and review exactly what someone needs to know if they have been injured in a crash involving an airbag in Houston.
Let’s Start With the Basics: Why Airbags Hurt So Much
The truth is simple. Airbags explode open. They don’t “pop out,” like in a cartoon. They burst forward with force. The gas in them heats up fast. The bag slams into you at a speed that feels unreal. It’s meant to stop worse harm, but the hit itself can bruise skin, break bones, or burn your face. Most people expect bruises. They don’t expect burns, broken noses, or eye injuries. Some even deal with chest pain for days because the pressure of the bag crushes the upper body during impact. And if the crash was strong enough, the chemicals from the airbag can irritate your skin or eyes, leaving you red and swollen. A lot of folks shrug off these symptoms, thinking they’ll heal in a day or two. But that’s not always how it plays out. Some injuries become worse later.
The Part No One Warns You About: Delayed Pain
You might walk away from a crash and feel “mostly fine.” Then, two days later, you wake up stiff, sore, and confused. It’s not in your head. Airbag injuries can hide under the shock of the crash. Houston doctors see this all the time—patients come in late because the aches didn’t hit right away.
Common delayed injuries include:
- Neck sprains that feel like a deep knot behind your shoulders
- Jaw pain from the sudden snap of your head
- Blurred vision from swollen eyes
- Tingly fingers from nerve compression
- Sudden sharp chest pain when you move or twist
If you feel any of these, get checked. It doesn’t matter if it’s been hours or days. A medical record helps your claim later.
Filing a Claim in Houston: What You Should Expect
Here’s the thing. Airbag injury claims aren’t the same as simple fender-bender claims. There are more pieces to the puzzle. Insurance adjusters want to know:
- How the airbag hit you
- Whether the seat belt worked right
- If the sensor malfunctioned
- If the crash impact should have triggered the airbag at all
Some cases aren’t just about the at-fault driver. You could also face issues involving the car maker or the airbag manufacturer. And when more than one side could be at fault, claims take time. Houston law doesn’t require you to hire a lawyer, but many people do, because dealing with insurance calls while you’re hurting is draining. Lawyers who handle airbag claims know how to build a clear picture of what happened, down to the speed of the crash, the angle of the impact, and even the medical details that show how force caused your injuries. A big factor is comparative negligence, which Texas uses. In simple words: if insurance thinks you’re partly to blame, your payout drops. So if they decide you’re 20% at fault, you only get 80% of the compensation. Fair? Maybe. But it catches people by surprise.
What Makes Airbag Claims Tougher Than Normal Injury Claims?
Airbags bring in a few tricky issues:
1. Proving the Airbag Caused the Injury
Insurance might say your injuries came from the crash impact, not the airbag. That’s common pushback.
2. Sensor or Deployment Issues
If the airbag deployed late—or too early—you may need an expert report. That gets technical fast.
3. Hidden Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries often don’t show up on scans right away. Without strong medical notes, adjusters argue the injury isn’t “real.”
4. Pressure to Settle
Some victims get calls within 24 hours. They might hear phrases like, “Your injuries don’t seem serious.” It’s a tactic to make you sign early. If you’re dealing with breathing issues, chest pain, burns, or face injuries, don’t rush. Claims tied to airbags need time.
Here’s a Tip People Often Forget: Photos Matter More Than You Think
Take pictures of everything. The bruises. The burns. The swelling. The airbag marks on your shirt. Even the white powder on the dashboard. These small details help show what your body went through. A lot of folks feel odd taking photos of injuries. But those pictures tell the story when your bruises fade. You know what else helps? Keeping a short journal. Nothing fancy. Just a note each day about pain, sleep issues, or headaches. Insurance adjusters don’t argue with consistent notes.
When the Car Itself Might Be Part of the Problem
Houston has no shortage of older vehicles, and some still carry recalled airbags. Remember the big Takata recall? Many drivers still have those airbags in their cars without knowing it.
If your injury came from a recalled or faulty airbag, your case shifts. It might involve:
- A product defect claim
- A vehicle recall history check
- A deeper review of how the airbag deployed
If that sounds technical, that’s because it is. The legal side of product defects can feel like another language. But if a faulty airbag hurts you, the claim process can lead to different types of compensation.
What You Can Claim for an Airbag Injury
People often ask what they can request in a claim. You can ask for things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Treatment for burns or scars
- Pain and emotional stress
- Follow-up care for lingering symptoms
If the injury affects your daily life—like trouble lifting your kids or turning your neck while driving—make sure that’s noted. These small details count when you file. Consult with a Houston car accident lawyer as early as possible.
One More Thing Before You File
Be careful what you tell insurance. Something as simple as “I feel okay right now” can be used against you later, even if you felt worse the next day. Keep your answers short, clear, and honest. Don’t guess or fill in blanks. And if the adjuster asks you for a recorded statement, pause. Those statements can be spun in ways that hurt your case. Many people wait until they speak with an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer before agreeing to anything recorded.
FAQs: Houston Airbag Injury Claims
1. Do airbag injuries always show up right after the crash?
Not always. Many victims feel delayed pain after the shock fades. Neck, chest, and facial injuries often appear hours or days later.
2. Can I file a claim if the airbag hit me but didn’t fully inflate?
Yes. A partial deployment can cause serious harm and may point to a defect. The claim may involve both the driver at fault and the airbag manufacturer.
3. Will insurance cover all my medical bills?
Insurance may cover them, but only if the injuries are well documented and tied to the crash. Clear records and photos help strengthen your case.
4. Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
You don’t have to. Many victims wait because recorded statements can be used against them. Talking to an attorney first is common.
5. What if the airbag burns left scars?
You can claim treatment costs and compensation for scarring. Burns from airbags often leave marks, and those injuries deserve proper care.
