Oklahoma City Airbag Injury Lawyers
Have you suffered an injury from a faulty or malfunctioning airbag in Oklahoma City, OK?
You may be entitled to compensation for the cost of your medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages.
The Oklahoma City car accident attorney at McGuire Law Firm will help you fight to maximize your financial recovery. Contact our Oklahoma City law office today at (405) 513-5658 for a free consultation.
What Our Oklahoma City Airbag Injury Lawyers Can Do for You
Most people think that a vehicle’s airbag is what will save you from serious injury in the event of a car accident.
At McGuire Law Firm, we realize that unfortunately sometimes the very thing that is supposed to be your saving grace in the event of a car accident can actually be what causes your serious injuries. Airbag injuries are more common than people realize.
If you have been injured due to a defective product or faulty air bag, you may be entitled to compensation. However, getting the money you deserve isn’t always easy. Hiring an attorney can help. Here’s what you can expect when you enlist the help of our experienced Oklahoma City airbag injury attorneys. Among other things, we’ll:
Accurately Assess Your Case
Compensation for the injuries that you suffer as the result of an airbag injury is only a part of the potential compensation that you might qualify for. The other costs you incur such as lost wages, rehabilitation/therapy, and loss of future earning potential are all factors that need to be considered when assessing how much your case is worth. Our team can help you calculate this number accurately to make sure you don’t leave any money on the table.
Properly Complete Accident Claim Forms
Making a complete and accurate record of your injuries and related costs is imperative to helping you recover compensation in the event of an airbag injury. Filling out forms like this can be overwhelming and confusing to do on your own, especially when recovering from an injury.
Comprehensively Investigate Your Accident
Our attorneys will investigate your accident comprehensively to be able to assess what happened, and how to help you recover the maximum compensation. A thorough investigation of both the scene and the mechanics and technology behind your airbag will be essential to your case.
Properly Maintain and Complete Records
All of the records relating to your airbag injury case are infinitely important. Leaving something out of your records can be the difference whether you are able to recover for your airbag injuries or not. An experienced airbag injury attorney knows which records to focus on and knows how to get missing records that you need.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Negotiation skills are learned and sharpened with time and experience. Insurance companies know that people who are representing themselves are likely negotiating an insurance claim for the first time. A seasoned negotiator can be the difference in your recovery.
File A Lawsuit If Needed
We will be more than ready to take your airbag injury case to court, if necessary. Insurance companies in Oklahoma know that we are successful trial attorneys, so they’ll want to think twice before taking their chances in front of a jury.
Give our personal injury law office in Oklahoma City a quick call to arrange a time to sit down with our attorneys. We’ll gladly review your case, explain your rights, and answer any questions you have. Your first consultation is free, so call now.
How Do Airbags Work?
Most all vehicles on the road today are equipped with multiple airbags that are designed to help a driver and passengers riding in a vehicle avoid serious injuries. Over the years, car manufacturers have added more airbags to vehicles to try to better protect those traveling in vehicles. Airbags are designed to work as follows:
- A moving vehicle hits a solid object such as another vehicle, a person, or other objects which causes the vehicle to decelerate quickly,
- Sensors inside the car detect the rapid deceleration and send a message to the vehicle’s electronic heating element within the vehicle’s airbags,
- The heating element activates the airbag which deploys and inflates quickly with a gas such as nitrogen or argon, and
- The driver or passenger hits the airbag which vents and slowly deflates bringing the person’s body to rest and cushions the impact to minimize injury.
Ideally, airbags prevent injury rather than cause it. However, there are times when occupants of motor vehicles suffer injuries when an airbag deploys.
What Causes Airbags to Malfunction?
Airbags, while full of technology meant to protect you, are far from perfect. Airbag malfunctions unfortunately happen too often to victims riding in vehicles worldwide. Each year, vehicle manufacturers have to recall countless vehicles in order to fix or replace faulty airbags.
The most common reasons why an airbag malfunctions include:
- Defective airbag components
- Ripped airbag units
- Improperly located sensors, and
- Improper wiring.
When an airbag malfunctions, the company that designed, manufactured, or sold it can be liable for the consequences. Speak with our attorneys right away if you suspect that your injuries are the result of a defective airbag.
What Types of Injuries Can Occur from Faulty Airbags?
Because of the violent nature of car accidents, a faulty airbag can cause serious injuries to both the driver and passengers of a vehicle. The injuries can be minor in nature or they can easily be more severe. Below is a short list of common injuries resulting from faulty airbags:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Bone fractures
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Limb injuries
- Injuries to eyes and face
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Seatbelt injuries
- And more.
Sometimes airbag injuries can be fatal. If someone you love has died as a result of defective or dangerous airbags, you might be entitled to compensation for your devastating loss. While the money you secure through a wrongful death claim won’t bring your loved one back, it can make life significantly easier for years to come. Please contact our experienced and compassionate legal team to learn more about how we might be able to help you during this difficult time.
Costs That Come with An Airbag Injury
Below are some of the most common costs seen by McGuire Law Firm when dealing with an airbag injury:
Medical Care
Your medical bills will likely be paid through a combination of insurance and possibly your own personal money. The immediate medical care you might need can easily cost you thousands out of pocket since you are responsible to pay for the ride to the hospital as well as any treatment you receive.
Rehabilitation/Therapy
It is common to require additional rehabilitation and physical therapy after the initial medical care you receive due to injuries suffered from an airbag. These treatments can be short or long term; in either event, you are responsible to pay these costs.
Lost Wages
If the injuries you suffer from an airbag cause you to miss work, then you stand to lose your income and even your job. These lost wages unfortunately increase at the same time your medical bills are accruing, which can cause an extremely difficult financial situation for you.
Loss of Future Earning Potential
The injuries that you suffer due to a faulty or defective airbag can impair your ability to make the same or similar earnings you are making now or can prevent you from being able to increase your earnings in the future. The loss of future earning potential is another item that can be added to the list of compensation for you in the event of an airbag injury.
Permanent Injuries
Unfortunately, not all injuries fully heal, and some injuries will have permanent effects that you will feel for the rest of your life. The costs that can come with a permanent injury are substantial to say the least.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive from An Airbag Injury?
The amount of compensation (money) that you can receive due to an airbag injury is directly related to the nature and severity of your injuries. The costs that are incurred as a result of the injury as well as the loss of income can usually easily be calculated. Additional compensation can be awarded in the cases of pain and suffering and certain forms of mental harms.
Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers are ready to help you fight to maximize your financial recovery. We'll help you demand all of the economic and non-economic damages you need and deserve. Simply give our law office a call to set up a time to discuss your case in detail to get started.
Is There A Statute of Limitations for Airbag Injury Claims?
A statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to bring a claim in court for injuries sustained in an accident of some kind. In the state of Oklahoma, the statute of limitation is two years for personal injuries arising from truck accident claims as well as product liability claims. Since an airbag injury claim will overlap both areas, you have two years from the date of your injury to file your claim in court or you will forever lose your opportunity to be compensated.
Other Motor Vehicle Crashes We Handle
Our legal team can help you with all types of auto accident claims, including:
- Distracted driving wrecks
- Drunk driving collisions
- Speeding accidents
- Multi-vehicle crashes
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Self-driving car collisions
- And more
Have an Experienced Oklahoma City Auto Accident Lawyer Assess Your Case for Free Today
Have you suffered an airbag injury in Oklahoma City? Contact McGuire Law Firm for immediate legal assistance and advice. We can help you fight to get the compensation you need and deserve.