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

The safety of automobiles has come a long way in recent decades, with multiple improvements in engineering and technology meant to safeguard drivers and passengers in the case of an accident, with the airbag system being one of the key advancements in auto safety.

In the event of a collision, an airbag will prevent your body from hitting the automobile’s dashboard, steering wheel, or windows. Given the severity of most incidents, an airbag might be the only thing standing between minor bruises and major injuries. So, how serious does a collision have to be for an airbag to deploy?

How Do Airbags Work?

In the case of a collision, airbags are intended to quickly inflate, forming a soft barrier between the occupants of the car and hard objects like the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield. An electronic control system for airbags uses sensors that are mounted on specific automotive parts. These sensors will send a signal instructing the airbag to deploy when they see a sudden decrease in speed.

When a signal is received, a chemical mixture inside an airbag reacts to produce a blast of nitrogen gas, inflating the airbag within milliseconds. The airbag then deflates to protect the passengers during the initial impact and lessen the likelihood of injuries.

Which Collisions Trigger Airbags?

Airbags will normally deploy in moderate to severe accidents that cause the car to decelerate instantly. Airbags typically deploy in front-end or rear-end collisions. In addition, the likelihood that your airbags will deploy increases with your speed at the moment of a collision. The front airbags deploy in these circumstances as a result of the vehicle’s sensors detecting the rapid deceleration and collision forces.

How Fast Do You Have to Be Going?

Depending on the car’s architecture and the crash’s severity, different airbags deploy at different circumstances and speed changes. Generally speaking, airbags are made to inflate in incidents that cause a sharp deceleration, usually above 8 to 14 mph (13 to 22 kph). It’s crucial to remember that the precise speed thresholds vary between various vehicle models and manufacturers.

Airbags are more likely to inflate in accidents that happen at high speeds, when the risk of injury is greater. The severity of the impact and whether airbag deployment is needed is determined using advanced technology and computer algorithms.

What Else Causes Airbags to Deploy?

While collisions are the primary triggers for airbag deployment, other factors unrelated to collisions can also cause airbags to deploy:

• Sudden and severe vibrations (such as those experienced during off-road driving or hitting a large pothole) can sometimes lead to unintended airbag deployment. In these cases, the vibrations can mimic the forces of a collision, tricking the sensors into deploying the airbags.
• Airbags have also been known to deploy due to manufacturer defects or component failures.

These uncommon situations highlight the value of routine auto maintenance and safety checks to guarantee that all safety systems, including airbags, are working properly.

Contact a Board-Certified Car Accident Attorney Today

Airbags have transformed automobile safety by drastically lowering the danger of harm and saving many lives in collisions of various severity. They are an essential part of contemporary vehicle safety systems, and the timing of their use is precisely tuned to shield people from harm. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, don’t be afraid to seek advice from seasoned experts.

At Baker Legal Team, we give every client the tenacious yet sympathetic legal representation that victims of auto accidents deserve. You can rely on our team of knowledgeable automobile accident lawyers to help you with every stage of the claim-processing procedure. Call us at (561) 320-0000 or reach out to us online to set up a free review of your auto accident case immediately.