According to the NHSTA, frontal airbags have protected drivers and passengers, saving over 50,000 lives in 30 years. Still, they only work when certain conditions are met. So, at what speed do airbags deploy, and why does it matter for your safety and your claim?
When airbags go off, it usually means the impact was severe enough to harm you, and that’s the moment when protecting your rights becomes critical. If you were hurt in a crash in California, our car accident lawyers offer free consultations to help you understand your options.
Crash Sensors and Safety: How Airbags Decide to Deploy
Airbags are built to protect you in serious crashes, not minor bumps. The moment a collision begins, sensors measure how severe the impact is. If it’s strong enough, they trigger the inflators to fill the bags with gas in a fraction of a second.
In most cars, airbags deploy between 10 and 16 mph when hitting a solid object, though it may take more force if the crash involves another moving vehicle.
Modern vehicles also use more than just one type of airbag. Depending on the type of crash, different airbags may deploy to protect you and your passengers. For example:
- Frontal airbags protect in head-on or near-frontal collisions.
- Side airbags deploy in T-bone or broadside impacts.
- Curtain airbags drop down in rollovers or side crashes.
- Knee airbags (in some cars) shield your lower body from hitting the dashboard.
Because each type of airbag has its own sensors and thresholds, the speed at which airbags deploy depends not only on the type of crash but also on the system designed by the car’s manufacturer.
Every automaker sets its own safety and deployment standards, which is why airbags may respond differently from one vehicle to another.
Frontal Airbag Deployment
Frontal airbags are the most common type of airbag and have been required in all cars, light trucks, and vans since 1999. They are designed to inflate in moderate-to-severe crashes to keep your head and chest from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or other hard surfaces.
For unbelted occupants, frontal airbags often deploy at speeds as low as 10–12 mph in a direct impact. For drivers wearing seatbelts, the threshold is usually higher, around 16 mph, since a seat belt protects at lower speeds.
This can explain why airbags can deploy in one accident but stay inactive in another, even when the speeds seem the same. For example:
- If you slam into a tree at 15 mph without wearing a seatbelt, your airbag will most likely deploy.
- If another car clips your bumper at the same speed while you’re belted in, the system may not trigger because the belts can absorb much of the force.
Even when they save lives, airbags can still cause injuries such as bruises, burns, or wrist fractures. If your airbags deployed in a crash, it’s important to seek medical care and speak with a lawyer about your rights.
Side Airbag Deployment
Side airbags are critical in T-bone or broadside crashes, which are especially dangerous because there’s little space between you and the impact. These airbags deploy faster than frontal ones, usually within the first 10–20 milliseconds of a crash.
The exact speed matters:
- In narrow-object crashes, such as hitting a pole or tree, side airbags may deploy at speeds as low as 8 mph.
- In wider impacts, like another vehicle striking your door, deployment often occurs around 18 mph.
Head- and chest-protecting side airbags can mean the difference between a survivable injury and a life-threatening one. They cushion your body and spread out the impact, helping to prevent broken ribs, head trauma, or worse.
Airbags in Rollovers
Rollover crashes are among the most violent accidents on California roads. To reduce injuries, many cars now include side curtain airbags that deploy during rollovers.
These airbags work differently: sensors detect the car’s sideways movement and tilting. Once a rollover is likely, the airbags deploy quickly, within 10–20 milliseconds, and stay inflated for much longer than other airbags, sometimes 10 seconds or more.
This prolonged protection is vital in multiple-roll crashes, keeping heads and upper bodies from slamming against windows and even helping prevent ejection.
Knee Airbag Deployment
Knee airbags are not as common, but they add an important layer of protection in frontal crashes. Usually located beneath the steering wheel or glove box, they deploy to stop the driver’s or passenger’s knees and legs from hitting hard surfaces.
By spreading out impact forces, knee airbags don’t just protect the lower body. They can also reduce stress on the chest and abdomen by controlling the movement of the lower body during a crash.
This helps prevent broken bones, ligament injuries, and deep bruises. While not every car has them, knee airbags can play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injuries in a serious crash.
Can You Drive After Airbags Have Deployed?
Once an airbag deploys, it can’t be reused. Driving without working airbags isn’t just unsafe; it may also be illegal, since your car no longer meets safety standards.
Airbags don’t require regular maintenance, but after a crash, they must be replaced at a certified repair shop using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This ensures the new airbag isn’t counterfeit, since fake airbags can fail to deploy or even release sharp metal fragments
Because replacement is so costly, many insurance companies declare the vehicle a “total loss” after airbag deployment. Instead of worrying about the car, make your health and recovery the top priority. Let a lawyer handle the insurance battle while you focus on healing.
When Is It Safer to Turn an Airbag Off?
Airbags are designed to save lives, and in most cases, keeping them active is the safest choice. However, there are rare situations where the risks of a frontal airbag outweigh the benefits.
In these cases, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can authorize an ON-OFF switch for the airbag. You may qualify for an ON-OFF switch if:
- A rear-facing infant seat must be placed in the front because there is no back seat, or the back seat is too small. (Passenger airbag only)
- A child under 13 needs to ride in the front due to a medical condition requiring constant monitoring. (Passenger airbag only)
- A driver or passenger has a medical condition that makes the airbag unsafe. This usually requires a doctor’s statement. (Driver or passenger airbag)
- A driver must sit very close to the steering wheel because of small stature (around 4’6” or shorter). (Driver airbag only)
If an ON-OFF switch isn’t available for your vehicle, NHTSA may allow permanent deactivation of the airbag. However, this process is stricter since once deactivated, the airbag cannot easily be turned back on for drivers or passengers who may need it.
How Airbag Deployment Helps Prove Your Car Accident Injuries
When airbags deploy, it’s proof that your crash was severe. Insurance companies know this, but they may still downplay your injuries to protect their bottom line. Airbags themselves can also cause harm, including burns, eye damage, or fractures.
That’s why quick medical treatment and strong legal guidance are so important.
Our experienced car accident lawyer can use airbag deployment as powerful evidence in your claim. We can:
- Thoroughly investigate the crash and work with experts to uncover exactly what happened.
- Use airbag deployment as powerful evidence to prove the force of the collision and the seriousness of your injuries.
- Take on the insurance companies that try to downplay your claim and push for less than you deserve.
- Fight for full compensation, including medical bills, lost wages, future care needs, and the pain and suffering caused by the crash.
With decades of experience, our firm has helped thousands of California accident victims get the justice and recovery they deserve.
Get Legal Help From Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
Airbag deployment is proof that your crash was serious, and so are the injuries that often come with it. Protecting your health and your future starts with the right legal team by your side.
Our California car accident lawyers have decades of experience, recovering millions for injured clients across the state. We know how to take on insurance companies, prove the true impact of your injuries, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Call today to schedule your free case review. There are no upfront costs, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win for you.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.