San Jose Airbag Injury Attorneys
Representing Victims of Defective Airbags
According to statistics compiled by the federal government, airbags have saved more than 24,000 lives since 1990. Unfortunately, defective airbags, or airbags that fail to inflate or function according to spec, can cause serious harm and potentially even fatal injuries. One survey found that, between 1990 and 2007, defective airbags led to the deaths of nearly 300 people. 180 people killed were children.
Airbags consist of multiple parts that must function effectively and seamlessly during accidents. The electronic control unit (ECU), crash sensors, inflators, and bags must be free of defects and ready to operate in literally fractions of a second.
Types of airbag defects include:
- Design flaws
- Errors in assembly, installation, or manufacture
- "Failure to warn" or lack of adequate directions for safe and proper use
If you have sustained an injury due to a defective airbag, call our firm for a complimentary case evaluation.
Typical injuries caused by defective airbags include above the waist contusions and bruising, traumatic brain injury, "burns" from the airbags, loss of vision or hearing, lung problem / asthma, and death / decapitation in worst cases.
Legal Rights and Terms
In typical personal injury cases, claimants must show that carelessness or negligence set the conditions that caused a crash or harm. In California product liability cases, however, a concept called "strict liability" applies. Essentially, this means that you don't have to show that the manufacturer, installer, or distributor of an airbag acted negligently. You merely need to tie the substantial defect to the harm done.
Preparing an effective airbag defect case takes careful analysis. Your auto product liability attorney may need to launch a thorough investigation and call upon experts in biochemistry, metallurgy, crash dynamics, crash reconstruction, and other subjects. In some cases, defendants may argue that the driver or passengers improperly used the vehicle.
For instance, if you put a small child in the front seat of your car (instead of the rear seat, where you are supposed to) and an airbag goes off and injures the child, the airbag manufacturer will claim you failed to adhere to proper practices. Thus, your claim may be denied, even if the airbag inflation did cause injuries.
Building a Claim for Damages
In the wake of an accident, you may quickly jump to conclusions about what "caused" the crash or the damages. Be mindful that only an objective analysis of the crash's causes and consequences counts. An experienced car accident lawyer can delve into the details of the crash to determine whether the defective airbag caused or contributed to the injuries.
If you are a family member of someone who died in an auto collision, Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP can help you bring a wrongful death action on behalf of that person. Bear in mind that a "statute of limitations" applies to airbag defect actions, so don't wait to seek legal help.
To build your case effectively, call Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP at (800) 900-0863. Our attorneys have been helping clients like you for more than 85 collective years, and we can provide a free and confidential case evaluation today.
A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
Millions Recovered for Our Clients-
Wrongful Death Skydiving Accident $40,030,000
Attorney Paul Van Der Walde recovered a total of $40,030,000 in compensation for a couple bereft of their 18-year-old son in a tandem skydiving accident.
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School Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident $8,825,000
School bus vs. pedestrian accident resulting in traumatic brain injury.
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Train Maintenance Vehicle vs. Auto $7,411,492
Caputo & Van Der Walde received a jury verdict in the amount of $7,411,492 for a surviving widow, who lost her husband when his pickup truck was involved in a collision with an on-track maintenance of way vehicle.
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3rd-Degree Burns During a Pedicure $7,291,986
Paul Caputo received a $7,291,985.58 decision for Plaintiff in a case where a client received severe 3rd-degree burns during a pedicure, resulting in the need for numerous skin grafting procedures.
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Paraplegia from Defective Seat $5,650,000
Product liability case involving a defective seat design that resulted in paraplegia.
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Pick-up Truck vs. Pedestrian Accident $4,250,000
Pedestrian crossing a four-lane street in the crosswalk, hit by a full-size pick-up truck. Injuries included a left knee dislocation with complete tears of all ligaments and requiring surgery, right scaphoid fracture requiring surgery, right shoulder AC joint separation with clavicle fracture and PTSD.
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Auto vs. Bicycle Accident $4,000,000
Bicycle rider attempted to maneuver to his left, around a recessed manhole in the bike lane, and was struck by a vehicle that was driving too closely to the bike lane. Significant injuries included traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, and permanent brain damage.
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Big Rig vs. Auto Accident $3,000,000
Big rig vs. auto accident resulting in wrongful death.
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Physical Abuse $3,000,000
Child protective services failed to adequately protect young child from physically abusive foster parents.
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Injury Onboard a SCTVA Bus $3,000,000
Injury onboard a SCTVA bus resulting in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Client Testimonials
Highly Rated & Reviewed-
“I am happy with the outcome and highly recommend Caputo and Van Der Walde to anyone seeking an injury lawyer.”
- Karen B -
“Our lawyer and his entire staff were extremely approachable and effective in getting a very good settlement from my own insurance company's under-insured motorist coverage. Our lawyer guided my husband and me through the process.”
- Chris G. -
“Paul has a great understanding of people's rights and drives to obtain all that is due to you. He listens and answers questions that anyone could understand without legalize. I contacted him through the recommendation of a friend.”
- Gary G.