Airbags are designed to protect you in a collision. When they fail, deploying too late, too forcefully, or not at all, the results can be as serious as the crash itself. At Napoli Shkolnik, our New York City product liability lawyer team represents people who have been hurt by defective airbags and the manufacturers responsible for them. 

Results Count. Support Matters. If a faulty airbag injured you or someone in your family, we can help you understand who is responsible and what your claim may be worth. Our firm has the resources and experience to take on large manufacturers and their insurers on behalf of injured New Yorkers.

Contact our defective airbag lawyers in New York City to schedule a free consultation about what happened.

How Defective Airbags Cause Serious Injuries

Airbag defects can take several forms, and each one creates a different type of danger for drivers and passengers. Understanding the nature of the defect in your case is an important part of building a strong claim. Our New York City personal injury lawyer team can help identify what went wrong and who is accountable.

Some airbags deploy with too much force, sending shrapnel or debris into the cabin at high speed. Others fail to deploy at all during a collision, leaving occupants without protection. In some cases, airbags deploy unexpectedly without any impact, causing drivers to lose control. 

All of these failures can result in lacerations, burns, eye injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and, in the worst cases, wrongful death. The Takata airbag recall is one of the most well-known examples of a defective airbag crisis, but it is far from the only one. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Airbag in New York

One of the key differences between a product liability claim and a standard car accident claim is that responsibility can extend well beyond the driver who caused the crash. Multiple parties in the airbag’s supply chain may be liable for your injuries, including:

• The airbag manufacturer: If the defect originated in how the airbag was designed or produced
• The vehicle manufacturer: If the automaker knew about the defect and failed to issue a timely recall, or integrated a flawed component into the vehicle
• Parts suppliers and distributors: If a component in the airbag system was sourced or handled improperly before installation
• Repair shops or dealerships: If a replacement airbag was installed incorrectly or a known defect was not disclosed

New York product liability law allows injured parties to pursue claims against any entity in the chain of distribution. That means you may have grounds to recover compensation from more than one defendant in your case.

What Compensation May Be Available After an Airbag Injury

A defective airbag injury can affect every part of your life. Beyond the immediate medical costs, victims often face ongoing treatment, time away from work, and lasting physical or cognitive effects. A successful claim may allow you to recover compensation for:

• Gastos médicos: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, follow-up treatment, and rehabilitation
• Lost income: Wages missed while recovering, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
• Dolor y sufrimiento: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact of the injury on your daily activities and relationships
• Daño a la propiedad: Costs related to vehicle damage caused by the defective airbag deployment
• Wrongful death damages: If a family member died as a result of a defective airbag, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim

The value of a defective airbag case depends on the severity of the injuries, the number of liable parties, and the strength of the evidence. Our New York City defective airbag lawyers will work to identify the full extent of your losses so nothing is left on the table.

How Napoli Shkolnik Handles New York City Defective Airbag Cases

Napoli Shkolnik has a strong national reputation in product liability and complex litigation. We have recovered over $20 billion for clients across personal injury and mass tort matters, and we bring the same level of preparation to individual product liability cases as we do to large-scale litigation. 

Our in-house medical review team, which includes physicians, registered nurses, and former claims adjusters, evaluates the medical side of every case we take on. This internal review helps us understand the full scope of your injuries and connect them clearly to the defective product. 

Combined with our litigation experience, that preparation gives us a strong foundation when we pursue claims against manufacturers and their legal teams. We also have native Spanish, Korean, and Russian speakers on staff. 

Speak with a Defective Airbag Attorney in New York City Today

Defective airbag claims in New York are subject to strict filing deadlines, and evidence from the crash and the vehicle can become harder to preserve as time goes on. Moving quickly protects your ability to pursue the full compensation you may be owed. 

Napoli Shkolnik handles product liability cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation with a defective airbag lawyer in New York City.