You are driving your car on a normal day in Montana when a collision happens and the airbags deploy. While you avoided the worst possible outcome, you still find yourself with injuries from the airbag.
If another motorist caused the crash, you can file a claim against that driver’s insurance. Understanding your next steps is essential to ensuring your physical and financial recovery.
Possible injuries from airbags
While airbags significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries, they deploy with considerable force, sometimes up to 200 miles per hour. This pressure, along with the intense speed of deployment can lead to injuries, including:
- Black eyes
- Temporary hearing loss
- Burns and abrasions
- Muscle strains
- Bruised or fractured ribs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
These injuries often occur during severe collisions, when occupants sit too close to the airbag or if seatbelts are not worn properly.
Checklist of essential evidence
If you suffer an injury after colliding with an airbag, you might be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. After the car crash, getting immediate treatment can help prevent your condition from getting worse while preserving needed evidence. Keeping your payslips and timesheets can also help prove that your treatment and recovery caused you to miss work.
You may also want to take photos of your injuries, save all medical records and receipts and document how the injury affects your daily life. Additionally, you can keep your vehicle and any airbag components in their post-crash condition. Maintaining that state may be crucial in determining whether the airbag deployed improperly or caused unnecessary harm.
Navigating Montana’s comparative negligence rule
If another driver caused the crash, you must show their careless driving led to the collision, the airbags deploying and your injuries. Since Montana is an at-fault state, you can recover damages if you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident.
To build a strong claim, you need clear proof that most of the blame lies with the other driver. A lawyer can help you compile the evidence you need to fight for a fair result.
When your recovery matters
Navigating the process of an airbag injury claim can be a daunting task. However, you should not let the legal complexities stop you from pursuing compensation. Filing a claim holds the negligent parties accountable while ensuring you receive the financial support required for your healing process.