Airbags are designed to protect vehicle occupants and reduce the risk of severe injuries during a collision. While these safety devices often save lives, the force of deployment can sometimes cause injuries of their own. If you suffered airbag-related injuries in a Charleston, West Virginia, car accident, you may be wondering whether you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages.
At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Charleston airbag injury lawyers help injury victims seek the financial recovery they deserve after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Contact us today at (304) 346-5990 for a free consultation.
How Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Airbag Injury in Charleston, WV
Pursuing compensation after an airbag injury can be challenging, especially when you are already dealing with medical treatment, lost income, and the physical and emotional effects of a serious accident.
At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, our Charleston car accident attorneys are prepared to guide you through every stage of the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
When you hire our firm, we can:
- Evaluate your case during a free consultation
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident
- Gather evidence to establish liability and document your injuries
- Calculate the full extent of your damages
- Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Take your case to court when a fair settlement cannot be reached
Our legal team is committed to protecting the rights of injury victims throughout West Virginia. Contact our Charleston personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn how we can help.
What Is My Airbag Injury Case Worth?
No two airbag injury claims are exactly alike. The value of your case will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the accident, the severity of your injuries, and the long-term impact those injuries have on your life.
Factors that can affect the value of your claim include:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment and ongoing care
- Whether you missed time from work or suffered a loss of earning capacity
- The extent of your pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Whether the airbag malfunctioned or deployed improperly
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence establishing liability
An experienced Charleston personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case and provide a clearer estimate of the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Airbag Injury Victims?
If you suffered injuries because of an airbag deployment or malfunction, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages for the losses you have experienced.
Compensation in an airbag injury claim may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation
- Future medical costs related to ongoing treatment or care
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Permanent disability or loss of function
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A Charleston car accident attorney can identify the full extent of your damages and pursue fair compensation.
Most Common Airbag Injuries
Although airbags are designed to protect vehicle occupants, their forceful deployment can sometimes cause serious injuries, including:
- Friction burns from the heat and force of deployment, which may lead to scarring or infection.
- Facial injuries, including broken noses, eye injuries, and facial fractures that may require reconstructive surgery.
- Whiplash, a soft tissue injury caused by the rapid movement of the head and neck during impact.
- Chest injuries, such as broken ribs, internal bleeding, lung damage, and heart contusions that can range from mild to life-threatening.
- Hearing damage, including tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and other temporary or permanent hearing issues caused by the loud deployment of the airbag.
- Spinal injuries, including herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and, in severe cases, spinal cord damage that can result in paralysis.
The severity of an airbag injury depends on factors such as the force of the collision, the occupant’s position, and whether the airbag functioned properly during the crash.
Who Could Be Liable for an Airbag Injury?
Determining liability for an airbag injury depends on the circumstances of the accident and the cause of the injury.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- A negligent driver who caused the collision
- The manufacturer of a defective airbag
- The vehicle manufacturer
- A parts manufacturer responsible for a faulty component
- A dealership that sold a vehicle with a known defect
- A maintenance or repair shop that improperly serviced the vehicle
Identifying the responsible party is a critical step in recovering compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File an Airbag Injury Lawsuit in West Virginia?
If you were injured by an airbag deployment or malfunction, it is important to act quickly to protect your right to compensation. In West Virginia, personal injury lawsuits are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations.
If you fail to file your lawsuit before the applicable deadline expires, you may lose your ability to recover damages. Because exceptions can apply in certain situations, consulting an experienced Charleston personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help ensure your claim is filed on time.
Contact Our Charleston Airbag Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured by an airbag in a car accident, it is important to understand your legal options. When another party’s negligence caused the crash and your resulting injuries, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim for compensation.
At Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys know how difficult it can be to prove fault and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact our Charleston airbag injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.