If I'm in a crash w/out a seatbelt but I do have an airbag, what injuries could I expect?

Question

What I am looking for specifically is an explanation of the possible injuries that would occur if someone gets in a head on collision at about 55-60mph without wearing a seat belt but with an airbag. Specific details about what is injured would be very helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

You may want to read this article for specific medical details of what happens to your body in a crash! (How about death?)

http://www.thekansan.com/stories/021208/...

http://www.airbagsolutions.com

Answer 2

In serious frontal crashes, the occupant compartment and the people riding inside do not stop immediately, but continue moving forward as the vehicle's front end crushes.

Frontal airbags are designed to work with lap/shoulder belts to protect the heads and chests of occupants from hitting the steering wheel, instrument panel, or windshield.

If people hit these surfaces hard, they can sustain serious or fatal injuries to the head and chest.

Answer 3

Airbags are designed to reduce injuries to occupants utilizing the seat belts. In a collision, the vehicle experiences a sudden deceleration. When the occupants are strapped to the vehicle (such as with seat belts) they decelerate with the vehicle. The airbag is to elongate the time required to stop the occupants, and thus serves only to reduce the rate of deceleration. Without the seatbelt, the airbag provides little protection because the occupant would likely be ejected from the vehicle.

Answer 4

Airbags won't stop you from going through the windshield, bud. You'll be flown from the vehicle.

Some cars don't have the airbags deploy, too.

Answer 5

First off, wear your seatbelt.  Its illegal not to wear it, and not smart.  Airbags are "supplemental restraints."  Now injuries, your looking at broken nose, facial fractures, facial brusing, internal organ trauma, broken ribs, misc bruising.  If you slide under the bag your looking at broken/bruised arms and legs, if you go airborne before the bag hits you you can still eb ejected from the car, escecially if the car is rotating or rolling.