Two children died in the United States last year as a result of injuries sustained by air bags according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"). 

The NHTSA is investigating over 800,000 Chrysler Caravan, Mini Caravan and Chysler Town and Country minivans because the airbags may not inflate at all or may under inflate during an accident. 

Airbags save lives but if defective or if used in conjunction with defective parts, airbags may kill.  If you suspect a problem with an airbag please contact my office immediately.

The following are a list of known airbag defects:

• Overpowered Air Bags-due to inadequate testing, some air bag systems ultilize very dangerous air bag inflators, which may cause death or serious injury if deployed.
• Inferior Algorithms--Air bag systems rely on software and computer systems to analyze deceleration data, which then determines if and when an air bag is deployed.  Glitches in the software or bad algorithms may cause the air bag to not inflate, inflate to early or inflate too late.
• Cheap Sensors--In order to give executives higher bonuses, auto manufacturers are using cheaper parts and cheap labor to install the parts.  Some manufacturers are using sensors which were manufactured for a different purpose to help reduce cost. 
  
• Air Bags Lacking Tethers--Tethers, also known as straps, are sewn inside the air bag.  These prevent the air bag from hitting the face of the driver or passenger if the air bag is deployed.  If these tethers are not present, and the air bag is deployed injury may occur.
• Folding and Venting Defect--If the manufacturer fails to determine the proper number, size and location of gas vents and the pattern utilized when folding the air bag, serious injury may result.
• Failure to Incorporate Technology--Many manufacturers install air bag systems which are deficient because they fail to incorporate the latest available technology. 
  
• Failure to Properly Warn--Many motorists will raise their hands to brace themselves right before a crash.  This action results in many serious arm and wrist injuries.  The manufacturer has a duty to warn you not to brace yourself with your arms right before a crash because the air bag will deploy and may injure your arms or wrist.
  

If you or a loved one live in Illinois and in particular the Peoria, Tazewell, Fulton or Woodford county areas and have been injured by an airbag, or if you simply need more information, please contact attorney Peter LaSorsa immediately at 309-712-1145 or contact Peter online for a free consultation.