Airbag Burns: Causes, Treatment, and Legal Options

Airbags are designed to save lives, but in doing so, they can also cause serious injuries including painful burns. While these injuries are often overshadowed by the trauma of a car crash itself, airbag burns can lead to lasting scars, nerve damage, and financial burdens from medical treatment and lost wages.

If you or a loved one suffered burns from an airbag deployment in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation, not only from another driver, but potentially from a vehicle manufacturer or airbag component supplier. Understanding your rights is the first step toward holding the right party accountable.

What Are Airbag Burns?

Airbag burns are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that occur during the deployment of a vehicle’s airbag system. These burns typically fall into two categories:

1. Chemical Burns

Airbags deploy using a rapid chemical reaction that produces nitrogen gas. Most modern airbags contain sodium azide or other propellants that react explosively to inflate the airbag within 30 to 50 milliseconds. While effective at cushioning impact, the reaction releases hot gases and caustic byproducts like:

• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium nitrate
• Dust from talcum powder or cornstarch (used as a lubricant)

When these substances come into contact with skin or eyes, they can cause chemical burns, which may continue to worsen after initial exposure. Inhalation of the gases can also cause respiratory injuries.

2. Friction Burns (Thermal Burns)

Friction burns occur when the fabric of the airbag scrapes or rubs against the skin at high velocity during deployment. The force, combined with the heat from the inflation process, can cause thermal injuries that resemble rug burns or road rash. These are common on:

• The face
• Neck
• Arms
• Chest
• Hands

In some cases, the burns may blister or develop into second-degree burns requiring extended treatment.

Common Symptoms of Airbag Burns

Airbag-related burns may not always be immediately noticeable, especially in the adrenaline rush following a crash. Symptoms can develop over hours or days. Victims should look out for:

• Redness, blistering, or peeling skin
• Persistent pain, burning, or itching sensations
• Discoloration or scarring
• Difficulty breathing or coughing (for inhalation injuries)
• Eye irritation, tearing, or vision changes
• Signs of infection (pus, fever, swelling)

Even minor-looking injuries can result in long-term complications if untreated. That’s why seeking medical care after any airbag deployment is crucial.

Medical Treatment for Airbag Burns

Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the burn. Most cases fall into first-degree or second-degree categories, but chemical burns require particular care.

Emergency Care

Immediately after the accident:

• Rinse the affected area thoroughly with clean water (not ice or ointments).
• Do not rub the area, especially if powder residue is visible.
• Seek emergency care to prevent deep tissue damage or infection.

Medical Interventions May Include:

• Topical burn creams (silver sulfadiazine, bacitracin)
• Pain management (oral or IV medication)
• Wound dressing and sterile bandages
• Antibiotics for infected burns
• Tetanus shots
• Physical therapy for mobility issues
• Plastic surgery or laser treatment for scarring

Inhalation burns may require oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, or even hospitalization for respiratory support.

The average healing time ranges from several days for mild friction burns to several weeks or months for severe chemical burns. Some victims may suffer permanent skin damage or disfigurement.

Why Do Airbag Burns Happen?

Airbag injuries are not always the result of high-speed crashes. Deployment can occur in moderate or even minor collisions, and defective airbag components can worsen the severity of injuries.

Contributing Factors Include:

• Defective Design or Manufacturing: Airbags that deploy with excessive force, contain dangerous chemicals, or lack proper venting mechanisms may expose users to undue harm.
• Improper Deployment Timing: Airbags deploying too late or too early can increase the likelihood of facial contact and direct exposure to chemical discharge.
• Malfunctioning Sensors: Faulty crash sensors can cause airbags to deploy unnecessarily or with excessive pressure.
• Lack of Maintenance or Manufacturer Warnings: Some burns may result from aging airbag systems, but if the manufacturer failed to issue a recall or proper maintenance instructions, they may still be liable.

Legal Liability for Airbag Injuries

In Texas, a person injured by an airbag burn may have multiple avenues for legal compensation. These can include:

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1. Product Liability Claims

Manufacturers, designers, or distributors of defective airbags can be held liable under Texas product liability law (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 82.001 et seq.). To succeed, the injured party must prove:

• The product was defectively designed or manufactured
• The defect was a producing cause of the injury
• The product reached the user without substantial change

Expert testimony, product recalls, or internal company memos (when available in discovery) can be powerful evidence.

2. Negligence

A vehicle manufacturer or airbag component supplier may be liable for:

• Failing to properly test the airbag system
• Failing to warn about risks
• Ignoring industry safety standards

3. Breach of Warranty

If the airbag system failed to perform as promised under a written or implied warranty, breach of warranty claims may apply. This is particularly relevant if the vehicle was new or under warranty at the time of the crash.

4. Automobile Accident Claims

If another driver’s negligence caused the collision, you can pursue a standard personal injury claim for all damages, including those caused by the airbag. This may be combined with a product liability claim if both a negligent driver and defective airbag played a role.

Evidence That Strengthens Your Case

To build a strong claim, victims should collect the following:

• Photographs of burns and injuries
• Medical records and treatment history
• Accident reports (including airbag deployment details)
• Vehicle maintenance records
• Airbag recall notices (if applicable)
• Witness statements
• Vehicle black box data or crash sensor logs
• Expert analysis of airbag components

Preserving the damaged vehicle is critical. Do not have the airbag system repaired or replaced until an attorney or expert has evaluated it for defects.

Compensation Available for Airbag Burn Injuries

Victims of airbag burns may recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Mental anguish
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence or fraud)

Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Texas

Under Texas law, the statute of limitations for personal injury and product liability cases is two years from the date of the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Failure to file within this time frame can bar recovery completely.

Certain exceptions may apply if:

• The injury was not immediately discoverable (latent defect)
• The victim was a minor at the time of the accident
• The manufacturer fraudulently concealed the defect

Consulting with a Texas injury attorney as soon as possible ensures deadlines are met and evidence is preserved.

Get Legal Help After an Airbag Burn Injury

If you suffered chemical or friction burns from an airbag deployment in a Texas car crash, you may have more options than you think. At Dang Law Group, we fight for victims injured by defective products and negligent drivers alike. Our team investigates product failures, consults with leading engineers and medical experts, and holds major corporations accountable.

Whether your case involves a recalled airbag or a little-known supplier, we are ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Information verified by lawyer Loc Dang

Loc Dang is a founder and member of our legal team. In this blog, Attorney Dang shares his expertise to guide accident victims.