When you're badly injured, the last thing you want to think about is filling out paperwork, searching for an attorney, or trying to gather evidence. Yet, these steps are necessary if you want to collect the compensation you deserve due to someone else's negligence. The more you know about personal injury cases and hiring an attorney, the less stressful this time will be.
We've created this website to offer basic personal injury law advice for anyone who has been injured or who may become injured in the future. Keep in mind that if you've been injured in a car accident, due to medical neglect, or even by slipping in someone else's parking lot, your case qualifies a personal injury case — and thus you'll find our collection of articles relevant.
After you are involved in an accident, your airbag might deploy to protect you. However, you might feel that the airbag actually causes your injury because of the force at which it is released inside your vehicle. Therefore, you might wonder what the point was in the airbag deploying. This is an important factor that will be examined by your auto accident attorney.
The Prevalence of Airbags
Airbags have become the standard in all cars since the late nineties and they have been able to save thousands of lives. However, they have also caused injuries and death in some extreme circumstances. However, the number of injuries resulting from airbags has been going down because of new innovations. If you are wearing your seatbelt, you are much less likely to be injured by the airbag.
Airbag Recalls
Some automotive companies have released cars with defective airbags. If you are injured as a result of an airbag that doesn't function properly, you should consider seeking compensation for your injuries. However, if another motorist is also responsible for your injuries, determining the cause of your injuries can be complicated because each party might only be partially at fault.
Comparative Negligence
When another motorist is negligent, such as when they drift into the wrong lane and cause a head-on collision, you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Your injuries may be partially the result of the accident and the airbag may cause some of the injuries, but as long as the airbag is functioning as it should, the only party that would be considered responsible is the other driver. However, if the airbag is defective, you may need to seek compensation from both parties.
Because comparative negligence can be difficult to sort out, it's important to speak with a car accident attorney to help you determine who you should seek compensation from. That way, you can make sure to seek the maximum compensation.
Punitive Damages
In addition to receiving compensation for economic damages you have suffered and compensation for pain and suffering, you may be able to receive punitive damages if the manufacturer showed gross negligence. The punitive damages are awarded by courts to punish the manufacturer and make sure that this doesn't happen again. But even if you do not seek punitive damages, you will need help from an attorney to help you present a convincing case and calculate the damages you are owed.
To learn more, reach out to a local auto accident attorney.