The steady improvement of safety technology in automobiles saves lives and reduces injuries. Sometimes, though, these technologies lead to accidents and even cause injuries.
Airbags, for example, though not perfect, have many safety benefits. To get the most out of your airbags, you should follow certain best practices.
Tips to increase airbag safety
According to information from State Farm, airbags in vehicles protect many people from deaths and injuries in an accident. To maximize the potential of airbags, you should follow some basic guidelines:
- Wear your safety belts
- Keep at least 10 inches between you and the steering wheel
- Always maintain your airbags
- Always replace airbags after deployment
If your vehicle model has an airbag recall, make sure to take it to the dealer for replacement. Faulty airbags have caused fatalities after accidents and resulted in serious injuries to drivers and passengers.
If children travel in your vehicle, make sure to follow the appropriate guidelines for airbag safety. For example, never place a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an airbag. Also, children under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat of the vehicle whenever possible.
Personal considerations for airbag safety
In some situations, you might want to disable the airbags in your vehicle: if you have a medical condition that makes you susceptible to airbag injury or if you can only transport a child in the front seat. Also, if you tend to drive fairly close to the steering wheel, you might want to consider disabling the device.
In some crashes and conditions, airbags could increase injuries. At this time, legal action could result in compensation for medical bills.
