Chest Injuries from Airbag Deployment

You survived the crash, and your airbag did its job. But now, you’re facing unexpected pain in your chest, making every breath an effort. Could this be an injury from airbag deployment? It’s a question many accident survivors don’t immediately consider, yet these injuries are more prevalent than you might think. Recognizing the potential for an injury from airbag deployment is the first step in ensuring you receive the proper medical care and understand your legal options. Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself.

How Airbags Work and Why They Can Cause Harm

Airbags cushion your body and reduce fatal injuries in moderate to severe collisions. They deploy in less than 1/20th of a second. But that lifesaving force can also come with a cost.

The violent inflation of an airbag can push your chest back towards your seat with enormous force, sometimes cracking ribs, bruising internal organs, or causing dangerous respiratory symptoms. Airbags are also hazardous for smaller adults, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions.

Common Types of Airbag Chest Injuries

Not every chest injury is visible at first glance. Some symptoms develop over time, while others are masked by adrenaline immediately after the crash. Here are some of the most common types of airbag chest injury:

• Blunt trauma injuries—forceful impact to the chest wall that may cause pain, inflammation, or bruising;
• Rib fractures—airbag deployment can crack one or more ribs, leading to sharp pain and limited movement;
• Sternal fractures—injury to the breastbone, often caused by direct impact from the airbag;
• Heart or lung contusions—internal bruising to organs that creates shortness of breath or chest tightness; and
• Aggravation of existing conditions—airbags can worsen asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular conditions during deployment.

Chest pain should always be taken seriously. What seems like a minor airbag injury to the chest could involve internal organ damage or hidden fractures.

Symptoms to Watch for After Deployment

If you were in a crash and the airbag deployed, you may wonder what symptoms indicate a more serious issue. The following signs warrant immediate medical attention:

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing—an indication of lung trauma or internal bleeding;
• Chest pain that worsens with movement or deep breaths—may be a sign of fractured ribs;
• Visible swelling or bruising on the chest—suggests impact trauma;
• Dizziness or fainting—could mean internal injury or blood loss; and
• Tight, squeezing feeling in the center of your chest—may be a cardiac red flag requiring emergency care.

Even if symptoms are mild at first, complications can develop later. That is why getting medical imaging, including X-rays or CT scans, is essential if you experience pain or discomfort after an airbag deploys.

What to Know About Filing an Airbag Injury Lawsuit

Victims may be eligible to pursue an airbag injury lawsuit when their injuries stem directly from airbag deployment, especially if the device malfunctioned or deployed improperly. These lawsuits can involve:

• Defective airbag design—flaws in the way the airbag was built or engineered;
• Manufacturing defects—mistakes during production or installation;
• Failure to warn—lack of adequate instructions or warnings about airbag risks; and
• Third-party liability—if another driver caused the crash, leading to the airbag deployment.

You can seek compensation for your injury from airbag deployment as part of your broader personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. However, you can also pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer if you suffered injuries due to a defect with the airbag itself. Your attorney will gather evidence showing the role the airbag played in causing or worsening your chest injuries.

Proving an Injury from an Airbag in Your Claim

Insurance companies often downplay airbag-related injuries, claiming they are minor or expected in a crash. That is why strong documentation is essential. The more your claim connects the airbag chest injury to your current symptoms, the better your chances of recovering fair compensation. To support your case, your legal team may collect:

• Emergency room and follow-up treatment records,
• Imaging scans confirming fractures or organ trauma,
• Expert testimony from medical professionals,
• Witness statements about the crash and its aftermath, and
• Vehicle data on airbag deployment.

If the airbag deployed without justification or failed to function correctly, your attorney may also work with automotive engineers or crash reconstruction specialists.

Damages Available for Airbag-Related Injuries

The compensation available for a chest injury from airbag deployment depends on how severe it is and how it affects your life. Victims may be eligible to recover:

• Medical expenses for ER visits, imaging, and follow-up care;
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs;
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering damages for physical discomfort;
• Emotional distress or trauma linked to the incident; and
• Long-term disability or lifestyle limitations.

Since these injuries are sometimes dismissed as “just bruises,” working with a lawyer who understands how to value and present airbag injury lawsuits is critical.

Why Choose Greenspan & Greenspan?

At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, P.C., we know that even when airbags function as designed, they can cause serious harm, especially to the chest and upper body. We understand how insurers minimize these injuries and how hard it can be to prove their full impact.

With more than 60 years of service to injured clients in New York, we are one of the region’s most established personal injury law firms. While we cannot say what will happen in any particular case, we have secured millions in compensation for car accident claims.

Our deep community roots and dedication to thorough, individualized case preparation set us apart. Our firm has earned recognition from Super Lawyers and maintains a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating. Still, more importantly, we retain the trust of clients who know we treat their injuries, stories, and futures with the attention they deserve.

We also speak Spanish and proudly serve clients from diverse backgrounds across Westchester and Rockland Counties. When you work with us, you are not hiring a volume firm; you are partnering with a team that builds cases with care and fights for real recovery.

Talk To a Trusted Attorney Today for the Help You Deserve

If you suffered an injury from airbag deployment in a crash, do not downplay it or let an insurance adjuster tell you it is “normal.” These injuries can be severe, painful, and costly, and you have the right to seek compensation. Contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, P.C., today to schedule a free consultation. We are ready to help you understand your options and advocate for the recovery you deserve.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle Air Bags and Injury Prevention.
• National Institutes of Health, Airbag-related chest wall burn as a marker of underlying injury: a case report.