Home » FAQs » I was involved in a crash and the airbags didn't deploy. Is this normal? What can I do?
Frequently Asked Questions
I was involved in a crash and the airbags didn't deploy. Is this normal? What can I do?
Airbags only deploy in certain kinds of crashes - frontal and above 10 mph. You can find out more information about this on the NHTSA and IIHS websites. If you find that your crash was indeed one where the airbags should have deployed you should speak to an attorney who specializes in automotive law.
Commentary from the IIHS on this matter:
How serious does a frontal crash have to be for an airbag to inflate? Most airbags are designed to inflate in crashes equivalent to hitting a solid barrier at 10-12 mph. Some manufacturers use different inflation thresholds depending on whether people are using their safety belts. Thresholds of 10-12 mph are used for unbelted occupants, but thresholds are higher -- about 16 mph -- for people with belts because they're unlikely to be injured in crashes at slower speeds.
