My airbags didnt deploy do you think i have a lawsuit?

Question

i was driving my 1999 ford explorer and pulling another vehicle. a semi hit my car hauler tire sending me out of control and into his trailer tires going 70 miles an hour then i rolled end over end once and then side to side 3 times there was extreme damage all the way around the suv and not a single window nor tire left intact. i have sever head and face trauma due to airbags that didnt deploy...none out of 4!!! do you think i have a lawsuit oh and the vehicle has never been involved in a accident and i am the second owner please your info is greatly appreciated!!! thank you

Answer 1

Go talk to a good Personal Injury lawyer.

Answer 2

The latest Reader's Digest has an excellent article on airbags and how the public can be scammed. Check it out.

Answer 3

Nope.....................

Airbags deploy only when they might be needed to prevent serious injury.

Frontal driver and passenger airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal crashes (not rear accidents) equivalent to hitting a solid barrier at 10-12 mph.

Some manufacturers use different inflation thresholds depending on whether people are using their safety belts.

Thresholds of 10-12 mph typically are used for unbelted occupants, but thresholds are higher — about 16 mph — for belted occupants because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.

Answer 4

You said 4 airbags.  From what you describe, the front airbags should not have.  They are triggered by front and rear collisions, not roll over.  The other two are probably side impact triggered.  What you need to do is analyze what the manufactures criteria for airbag deployment on your vehicle are.  Also, check the expiration of the airbags, they may be expired.

Answer 5

When was the last time you had the airbags inspected? Do you know for sure they were installed properly and in working order? As the second hand owner, you may have trouble in the event of a lawsuit. You probably cannot sue the auto maker since there are often "catches" in the warranties regarding resales. However, if you can prove (in writing) that the person or business that sold you the vehicle explicitly said the airbags were in perfect working order, you might have something. However, instead of focusing on what you can get out of it, I would advise you to be thankful that you didn't lose anything, particularly your life.

Answer 6

Has the vehicle been continuously serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance schedule (which would include checking the airbag system)?

If not, then I wouldn't even try to sue, as it is the owner's responsibility to make sure the maintenance is kept current.