Anyone been in a car crash where the airbag deploys?

[Rubycon]

?

Can you recall any sounds or how it felt when it went off, etc?

 

[bhanson]

I think I've been in an accident where my airbags were supposed to deploy, but didn't.

Some random bits of water flew into my face from an unknown location. The car was totaled and the other person involved had their airbags deploy.

 

[simonizor]

Not really; it happened very fast. About all I remember is that it happened after I had crashed, but it blew up before I even knew it. It didn't hit me because, as I said, it happened after I crashed so I was sitting pretty much straight up when it went off.

The fact that my airbags went off pretty much totaled my car, though. It was a 1998 cavalier and the air bags were worth way more than the car.

 

[nanette1985]

Loud noises from the crash impact, don't remember noise from airbag but it deployed really really fast. Before I knew it there was this big thing all over me. Fast.

 

[bruceb]

Haven't had one need to go off. Thankfully. But I do know 2 people who recently had their vehicles demolished. A 2 year old Honda (Accord, I think) and a 6 month old KIA SUV ..On the Honda, driver side air bag went off. Driver (30 something female) suffered bruised ribs (perhaps not from the airbag) as it was almost head on wreck. Other one passenger air bag went off, (there was a driver & passenger), driver's side did not. Main impact was on Right Front Fender and under vehicle suspension damage. Head on crash due to another car going the wrong way on a main highway with no lights on. (Honda Civic)

 

[OCGuy]

It burned the shit out of my friend's face....still better than hitting it on the steering wheel though.

 

[TridenT]

Haven't had one need to go off. Thankfully. But I do know 2 people who recently had their vehicles demolished. A 2 year old Honda (Accord, I think) and a 6 month old KIA SUV ..On the Honda, driver side air bag went off. Driver (30 something female) suffered bruised ribs (perhaps not from the airbag) as it was almost head on wreck. Other one passenger air bag went off, (there was a driver & passenger), driver's side did not. Main impact was on Right Front Fender and under vehicle suspension damage. Head on crash due to another car going the wrong way on a main highway with no lights on. (Honda Civic)

Broken ribs sounds like they hit the steering wheel because the airbag didn't deploy.

 

[Fritzo]

It happens so fast that you're shocked at first. It's not unlike walking into a glass wall at full speed.

 

[bruceb]

I said the ribs were Bruised, not Broken .. and for all I know maybe she did hit the steering wheel or sometimes, the seat belt tightening very quick can bruise them. Or maybe the air bag did it. I know for sure driver side air bag went off.

 

[dawheat]

Basically a huge bang but no actual recollection or visual of the airbag deployment. Completely disoriented for the next 20-30 seconds with a loud ringing in your ears. Don't remember what it smelled like but remembering coughing a bit to clear the lungs.

Minor cuts on my face, glasses knocked off and landed behind drivers seat (mangled).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes, I don't remember any particular sound I could identify as the airbag and I had minor burns on my wrists and a slight bit on my nose just from the friction of the airbag but those injuries were very minor and barely worth mentioning. There was also a bit of smoke it seemed and it had an acrid smell to it.

The airbag itself deflated almost as quickly as it inflated.

 

[Anubis]

no but ive been in a few where they didn't go off. because they didn't exist. i have a sweet scar on my forehead because of that. headbutted the dashboard. dented the mother fucker as well

 

[BoomerD]

Yep. We were in a near-head-on crash in 2000. I do NOT remember the air bag deploying, but it hit me harder than I've ever been hit in a fight. My wife was driving, and I had my head turned to warn my wife about the other car, when the girl plowed into us. The air bag hit me so hard that it slammed my mouth shut and cracked two teeth.

BUT, the car did what it was supposed to do...the crumple zones crumpled on impact, the air bags deployed properly, the seat belts restrained us...and we walked away with only minor bumps and bruises.
The first cop on the scene was surprised that, in spite of both cars being totaled, no one was seriously injured.

 

[rudeguy]

Yep. We were in a near-head-on crash in 2000. I do NOT remember the air bag deploying, but it hit me harder than I've ever been hit in a fight. My wife was driving, and I had my head turned to warn my wife about the other car, when the girl plowed into us. The air bag hit me so hard that it slammed my mouth shut and cracked two teeth.

BUT, the car did what it was supposed to do...the crumple zones crumpled on impact, the air bags deployed properly, the seat belts restrained us...and we walked away with only minor bumps and bruises.
The first cop on the scene was surprised that, in spite of both cars being totaled, no one was seriously injured.

:thumbsup:

I would be scared shitless.

When I wrapped my car around the telephone pole I didn't have an airbag. I did mangle the steering wheel with my chest and crack the windshield with my forehead.

 

[Trianon]

similar experience to the one described by Boomer, had been in the crash twice, bruised lips, ears ringing and acrid smell - check, walked away from head-on with van driven by Polish lady, so, in my book, being slapped silly about face by deployed airbag is totally worth it.

 

[GRHawk]

We got hit in the passenger side front wheel area. I was driving. I remember the sound of crunching/breaking plastic (from the dash buckling). I don't remember the airbag impacting my face, but I lost several seconds of time after it happened. When I became alert again, my biggest fear was that the car was on fire due to the smell of damaged electrical components, and all of the air bag "dust" in the cabin of the car. No injury to me, but it did take a little while to find my glasses afterwards.

 

[CRXican]

Yep, don't remember anything about them going off. Just remember the loud crash and my hand being numb (from the airbag).

 

[alkemyst]

I had someone jump a red light in front of me on a left turn into my lane.

I was able to swerve enought to just tag their full american sedan near it's tail, rather than full broadside. I hit them pretty light. My air bags went off in my 97 GTI VR6 around 1998...I didn't need them and they not only caused some physical damage but boosted my insurance claim.

the worst air bag incident I saw was really early on....some chick at the body shop I was restoring my Mustang around 88-89...her throat was severed by her charm necklace being pushing into her throat.

She was really messed up.

 

[Leros]

I got into an accident going about 35 mph and the airbags did not deploy. Smacked my head pretty hard against the steering wheel too.

 

[alkemyst]

Airbags really haven't proven to really save lives. It's awesome for manufacturers.

 

[Born2bwire]

Had a driver pull out in front of me to make a left hand turn and I t-boned them at probably around 30-40 mph. I only remember the sound of the crash. The impact was felt very light actually between the seat belts, air bags and crumple zones. Like coming to a fast stop on a roller coaster. I walked away with only a small cut on my nose when the bridge of my glasses hit. But the other driver broke her hip or leg as I recall. I hit her car smack on the driver side door.

 

[promposive]

2000 ford focus, rear ended and pushed into car in front... airbags went off, don't remember any noise. Just remember being disoriented and could barely breathe, struggling to get the door open because of the smell and powdery stuff in the air. Burnt my arm some too.

 

[fail]

Had a driver pull out in front of me to make a left hand turn and I t-boned them at probably around 30-40 mph. I only remember the sound of the crash. The impact was felt very light actually between the seat belts, air bags and crumple zones. Like coming to a fast stop on a roller coaster. I walked away with only a small cut on my nose when the bridge of my glasses hit. But the other driver broke her hip or leg as I recall. I hit her car smack on the driver side door.

In what country did this accident occur?

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

No, I'm not an idiot. I actually know how to drive without crashing.

 

[Born2bwire]

In what country did this accident occur?

US. I don't know what they were thinking. I mean, I saw the driver look and see me before she pulled out.