Car accident injuries can add a substantial inconvenience to your life for months or even years. They can limit your mobility and make it difficult to work, which, in turn, makes earning money a challenge.
While there are many potential sources of injury in your vehicle, the steering wheel poses a unique risk. Despite its importance in getting you from point A to point B, it can become extremely hazardous if someone crashes into you.
Airbag deployment
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that airbags saved 2,790 lives in 2017. They react almost instantly when the vehicle’s systems detect a collision, inflating rapidly to provide protection. Unfortunately, they can create a danger if you sit too close to the steering wheel.
Depending on the timing of the airbag, you may sustain injuries to your face and eyes upon impact. It is also possible to receive burns or abrasions as the bag quickly inflates. There are even further possibilities that the airbag will not deploy at all. Conversely, it may engage in a minor collision where it ends up causing more harm than good.
The airbag is an important safety feature of modern vehicles. However, some crashes may make it a potential danger.
Blunt impact
Your steering wheel is a hard surface. When you abruptly come in contact with it, injuries are likely to follow. Should the airbag not deploy, you can experience broken bones in your face or chest. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of chest injuries. You may be in pain for an extended period of time with long-term treatment that may become costly.
Ultimately, whether your airbag deploys or not, your steering wheel can become a serious hazard in a car accident. If you sustain serious injury as a result, you may need to seek compensation to cover your medical expenses.