Airbags are meant to save lives in an accident, but occasionally, they can cause serious harm. Whether because of a defect in its construction, improper deployment, or sheer force, airbag injuries are more common than most people realize.
Victims may suffer burns, broken bones, or even internal injuries. If you’ve been hurt by an airbag, filing a compensation claim is your legal right—but the process can be complex.
Therefore, the steps that you take early on can have a large impact on the results and the compensation you can receive.
The following are the steps you have to take to file a compensation claim for an airbag injury.
1. Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer
The first and most important step of any airbag injury claim is speaking with a personal injury attorney who has a demonstrated history of managing car accident and product liability cases. Such cases can require technical evidence, and even complicated legal arguments, particularly if it’s a defective airbag or vehicle part that caused the accident.
A reasonable attorney can review your case, identify who was at fault, and guide you through the legal system. Whether your case is against a manufacturer, driver, or someone else, an attorney will ensure that your case isn’t settled too quickly and that your rights are protected from the beginning.
Legal guidance is especially crucial when pursuing compensation for airbag injury, as these claims often involve multiple parties and complex liability issues.
2. Get Medical Help
Even if the injury seems minor, prompt medical attention is vital. Airbag injuries may consist of internal trauma, head and neck injuries, or latent soft tissue injuries that do not show immediately.
Therefore, having your injury evaluated by a physician is not only safe, but also the best way to document, from a medical standpoint, that the injury is related to the incident. Insurance companies and the courts rely heavily on such documentation.
3. Document Injuries and Vehicle Damage
Accurate and detailed documentation can significantly strengthen your claim. So, start by taking clear photos of your injuries as soon after the accident as you can and keep documenting them as they heal.
Also, take photographs of the car, where the airbag came out, burns, or other damage from the airbag going off, and the vehicle’s condition generally. Lastly, save medical bills, doctors’ notes, and receipts for expenses you have had.
This detailed record will come in handy when it comes time to put a dollar amount on your damages, whether you need compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
4. Get The Police Report
If the injury happened in a car wreck, a police report can provide essential evidence. The report typically contains information about the crash and the parties involved, as well as initial observations about what occurred.
This official record may note whether airbags deployed and can help establish the timeline and circumstances of the injury. Thus, make sure you get a copy of the report from the local police department that responded to the scene.
5. Gather Witness Information
A witness, if available, can offer an objective recount of the crash and the airbag’s deployment. Their observations could affirm that the airbag caused injury or that the vehicle was flawed.
So, try to gather the names, contact information, and brief statements of anyone who witnessed the accident or the moments that followed. In a court case or at a settlement table, eyewitness statements can add credibility and support your claim.
Take Away
Filing an airbag injury claim requires various steps, all essential in demonstrating your case. Everything you do after the incident can affect the outcome, from seeking medical help and gathering evidence to talking to an attorney. Airbag injuries can be severe and life-changing, and you don’t have to go through the aftermath by yourself. By taking these actions, you enhance your opportunities to obtain the justice and compensation you are entitled to.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
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