The chaos of a car accident scene could leave you feeling foggy and confused. You might not even notice some injuries right away until you come out of shock. For example, airbag injuries may create more damage than you realize at first.
Despite their intent to protect, airbags can cause injuries, especially if you do not wear a seatbelt. When you understand some common injuries associated with a deployed airbag, you can get adequate help.
Internal injuries
While you might think airbags only deploy in serious crashes, manufacturers design them to perform the same in moderate crashes. The intent is for the inflated apparatus to protect your head from striking the interior of your vehicle upon impact. However, according to The United States Department of Transportation, you should still sit as far away from them as possible, and you should always wear your seatbelt. These steps will minimize airbag-caused injuries.
The power and speed of an airbag coming out could cause internal injuries. Examples include the following:
- Bruising of organs or bowels
- Internal bleeding in the abdomen
Often, these injuries might not cause a lot of pain and you may not even see bruising. However, if you do experience internal bleeding and do not receive timely treatment, your injuries could cause life-threatening complications.
External injuries
Some common external injuries you might experience because of an airbag include a concussion and whiplash. You might also experience abrasions, burns, contusions and bruising. Receiving a medical examination at the accident scene can prevent serious injuries from worsening, as well as rule out any other injuries so you can have peace of mind.
Most airbag injuries will not cause you too much pain or inconvenience. However, knowing that they can happen might help you confidently identify any injuries you may need to seek help for.