New Jersey Lawyers Seek Compensation for Air Bag Failure

Lawsuits to recover damages for defective air bags

Since its founding in 1950 by two Harvard Law School graduates, Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC has witnessed many improvements in motor vehicle safety features — such as child restraint seats, shoulder strap seat belts, crushproof roofs, antilock brakes and air bags. Federal and state regulations have made inclusion of these basic elements the industry standard. Manufacturers that fail to meet the strict legal specifications and vendors that sell defective parts unnecessarily put drivers in danger and may be held accountable under the law. These corporations may also owe injured drivers compensation for damages that could have been avoided had the safety features worked properly.

How air bags are supposed to work

Air bags are made of fabric that is packed into the steering wheel and, in some auto models, the doors of the vehicle. An inflation system rapidly releases gases into the bags if triggered by sensors that detect a certain level of impact — typically at a rate of 10–15 mph into a solid object. The bag expands in a burst to protect you from impact and then immediately begins to deflate to allow you to escape from your damaged car.

What can go wrong with your defective air bag

Although a properly working air bag saves lives, defects in the mechanisms undermine their effectiveness or can increase your risks of injuries. A defective air bag may:

• Fail to deploy and so provide no protection against impact
• Deploy so violently that it causes fractures, organ damage or death
• Be set to an incorrect, dangerous angle
• Release gases that burn you

Filing a successful defective air bag claim

You have the right to expect your air bag to protect you if you are involved in an accident. Our law firm fully investigates which companies are liable for the defective air bag. Depending on the facts of your case, we may file a products liability claim against the:

• Air bag manufacturer for producing a defective product
• Auto manufacturer for installing the equipment incorrectly
• Mechanic who made insufficient repairs or who purchased counterfeit or inferior parts
• Car dealer who sold you a vehicle without disclosing that it was previously involved in an accident that caused air bag deployment

We strive to obtain the maximum compensation available for your claim. If we cannot negotiate a settlement, our personal injury attorneys defend your case in court. With our vast network of outside experts, Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC offers comprehensive legal services for New Jersey victims of air bag failures.

Contact our firm to discuss your defective air bag case today

For more information about liability in defective air bag claims, call Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC at 973 676-1555 or contact us online to schedule your one-hour free initial consultation. You pay no fees unless we win your case, and there are no up-front costs to you. For your convenience, we have offices in East Orange Office, Elmwood Park Office, Pompton Plains, and Avon by the Sea, with Spanish-speaking translators available by request.