When an airbag deploys during a crash, the shock can leave you disoriented and unsure about what comes next. The sudden impact may protect you from life-threatening harm, but it often raises new concerns about injuries, safety, and the recovery process. Knowing what happens during deployment and the steps to take afterward can make these moments easier to navigate with confidence.
How and Why an Airbag Deploys in a Collision
Airbags are designed to cushion the body and prevent direct impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. When a collision occurs, sensors inside the vehicle detect the sudden deceleration and trigger the inflator system. Within just 20 to 30 milliseconds, gas rapidly fills the airbag, which expands at speeds reaching up to 200 miles per hour.
The exact threshold for deployment depends on the severity and angle of the crash. In most cases, an airbag is deployed only when the force of impact is strong enough to pose a serious risk of injury. While the goal is protection, the speed and power of this process explain why deployment itself can sometimes leave drivers and passengers with injuries.
Common Injuries When an Airbag Is Deployed During an Accident
Airbags save lives, but the force of deployment can also cause injuries that need medical care. When an airbag is deployed during a car accident, some of the most frequent injuries include the following:
- Facial Injuries and Lacerations: The speed of the airbag can cause cuts, bruises, or facial fractures. Broken noses and eye trauma are among the most common.
- Chest and Rib Injuries: The chest takes the brunt of the impact, often leading to broken ribs, sternum fractures, or painful bruising that makes breathing difficult.
- Neck and Spine Trauma: The sudden jolt of deployment can strain the neck and spine, often resulting in whiplash, stiffness, sharp pain, or reduced mobility.
- Burns and Skin Irritation (“Airbag Dermatitis”): Chemicals and heat from deployment sometimes leave burns, abrasions, or skin irritation where the airbag made contact.
- Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries: Not all harm is visible. Internal bruising or damage to organs can occur, making diagnostic testing essential after a crash.
Read: Common Injuries from Car Accidents: What to Watch Out For
Airbag Defects and Malfunctions That Can Put You at Risk
While airbags are built to protect, malfunctions can create new dangers in a crash. Faulty inflators may deploy with excessive force or rupture, sending debris into the cabin. In other cases, airbags may fail to deploy at all, leaving occupants unprotected in a severe collision.
The risk also increases if someone is sitting too close to the steering wheel or riding without a seatbelt. In these situations, the impact of an airbag deployed can cause more harm than protection. These risks underscore the importance of consulting a doctor after any deployment, even if you initially feel unharmed.
What to Do Immediately After an Airbag Deployed During an Accident
When an airbag deploys during a crash, the moments that follow are critical. Knowing the right steps protects your health, preserves evidence, and supports any claim you may need to file later.
1. Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Quickly scan for bleeding, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness. Even if your own injuries seem minor, make sure passengers are safe and stable before moving.
2. Stay Still if You Suspect Serious Trauma
Severe back, chest, or neck pain can mean a serious injury. Avoid sudden movements and remain as still as possible until emergency responders arrive to assist.
3. Call Emergency Services Right Away
Dial 911 and report the accident. Be sure to tell dispatchers that airbags deployed, since this signals a strong crash that often requires urgent medical evaluation.
4. Document the Scene and Vehicle Interior
Use your phone to capture photos of your injuries, the deployed airbags, and the damaged vehicle. These images may help doctors understand the impact and support your claim.
5. Preserve Evidence by Avoiding Clean-Up
Do not remove the airbag, powder, or debris from inside the vehicle. Leaving everything as it is can provide critical evidence for both medical and legal reviews.
6. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Visit the ER or an accident injury clinic right away, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries or concussions can take hours or days to show, but early evaluation makes the difference between a smooth recovery and lasting complications.
How Doctors Diagnose Injuries After an Airbag Deployment
When an airbag is deployed, not every injury is visible right away. This is why doctors rely on diagnostic testing to uncover hidden damage and confirm the extent of your injuries.
- X-rays are often the first step and are used to identify fractures in the ribs, spine, or other bones.
- CT scans provide detailed images that can reveal internal bleeding or organ damage that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- MRIs help detect soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, or issues affecting the spinal cord.
- Neurological exams allow doctors to evaluate nerve function, brain activity, and cognitive changes linked to head or spinal trauma.
- Range-of-motion and physical tests are used to measure mobility, identify painful movements, and locate areas of strain.
This thorough approach ensures that no injury is missed and that treatment can begin as quickly and effectively as possible.
Treatment & Recovery Strategies for Airbag-Related Injuries
Recovering from injuries after an airbag deployed often requires more than rest. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, doctors may combine different treatments to manage pain, restore movement, and support healing.
Pain management may involve medication, bracing, or targeted injections to reduce inflammation. For musculoskeletal injuries, chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy are often used to improve mobility, rebuild strength, and relieve stiffness. More serious cases, such as fractures or nerve damage, may require orthopedic surgery or specialized neurological care.
Recovery Timeline After Airbag Deployment Injuries
Recovery timelines can vary based on the injury and treatment plan. Soft tissue damage may improve within weeks, while fractures or spinal injuries often take months and demand consistent follow-up. In many cases, rehabilitation is needed beyond the initial healing period to prevent lasting pain or reduced function.
With the right treatment and consistent care, most patients are able to regain strength, improve mobility, and return to their daily activities.
What Can You Do to Prevent Future Airbag Injuries?
Airbags are meant to protect you, but there are steps you can take to lower the risk of injury if they ever deploy again. Making small adjustments in how you drive and maintain your vehicle can make a big difference.
- Always Wear Your Seatbelt: Seatbelts keep you in the right position during a crash and prevent you from being thrown forward into a deploying airbag. This simple step greatly reduces the force of impact.
- Maintain a Safe Distance from the Steering Wheel: Try to sit at least 10 inches back from the steering wheel. Being too close can increase the chance of chest or facial injuries when the airbag inflates.
- Keep Up with Vehicle Maintenance and Recalls: Check your vehicle for open airbag recalls and schedule regular maintenance. Defective or outdated airbags can deploy improperly, causing more harm than protection.
- Sit Upright While Driving or Riding: Avoid leaning forward or resting against the steering wheel or dashboard. Staying upright and centered in your seat allows the airbag to cushion you more effectively.
Heal Confidently After an Accident with AICA Orthopedics
Airbag deployment protects you from severe impact, but can still leave behind painful injuries. Some are visible, while others remain hidden. Taking quick action with medical care and proper testing is key to recovery.
At AICA Orthopedics, you have access to a complete team of specialists who work together on your behalf. Our clinics feature a team of orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, neurologists, and physical therapists, all under one roof. We offer same-day and 24/7 care, provide transportation when needed, and ensure no out-of-pocket costs if the accident was not your fault. You also receive detailed medical records and care plans that support your recovery and protect your claim.
Don’t wait in pain. Call (404) 855-2141 today or find the nearest AICA Orthopedics clinic to you and get the care and support you deserve right away.
