What Should You Do After an Airbag Injury in a Used Car in South Carolina?

If you’ve had an airbag injury in South Carolina, get medical care right away. Don’t repair, sell, or get rid of your car just yet. The crash and repair history can help show whether the airbag worked as it should or if a risky replacement part was used.

Preserve the vehicle, photographs, and available records before evidence disappears.

Does an Airbag Injury Mean the Airbag Was Defective?

No. Airbags deploy with considerable force, so an injury alone doesn’t prove a malfunction. Closer investigation may be warranted when an airbag ruptures, releases fragments, deploys unexpectedly, fails to deploy in a serious crash, or appears to contain a questionable replacement inflator.

Things like when the airbag deployed, how the crash sensors worked, how it was installed, and the inflator itself can all matter in an airbag injury claim.

Why Does a Used Car’s Airbag History Matter?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently reports 10 deaths and three severe injuries in 13 crashes involving dangerous replacement airbag inflators marked DTN60DB.

Most of these vehicles had their original airbags replaced after a previous crash. NHTSA warns that aftermarket inflators aren’t linked to your car’s VIN, so even a clear recall search might not show if you have one. Let a dealership or trusted mechanic handle the inspection.

What Records Should South Carolina Drivers Keep?

The SCDMV says salvage brands remain part of a vehicle’s title history. A “Salvage Rebuilt” brand means a previously salvaged vehicle was repaired and properly documented before being titled to a new owner. That history alone doesn’t establish improper airbag work, but it can identify earlier damage and repairs that may warrant closer review.

Keep:

• the title, VIN, vehicle history report, and recall-search results
• any repair invoices identifying who replaced the airbag
• photos of the vehicle, cabin, deployed airbag, and visible fragments
• the collision report, medical records, and towing or storage details

Don’t dismantle the steering wheel or inspect the airbag yourself. Before the vehicle is altered or released, speak with an attorney about preserving it for a possible defective airbag claim.

When Should You Contact a Lawyer?

Contact a lawyer promptly when an apparent airbag malfunction or unclear replacement history appears connected to a serious injury. The investigation can involve the crash, the airbag component, earlier repairs, and the businesses that supplied, sold, or installed the part.

Attorney Taylor Anderson has litigated personal injury cases in South Carolina and Georgia. At Taylor Anderson Law Firm, we review the evidence and explain which legal options may fit the facts.

FAQ About Used-Car Airbag Injuries

Does a clear recall search mean the airbag is safe?
No. Some aftermarket inflators aren’t connected to the VIN and won’t appear in a recall search.

Can I check the airbag myself?
No. NHTSA warns owners not to inspect an inflator themselves because accidental deployment can cause severe injury or death.

Does an NHTSA warning prove a legal claim?
No. A claim depends on the component, the crash, whether a defect contributed to the injury, and the parties involved.

Speak With a Charleston Airbag Injury Lawyer

If you suffered airbag injuries in a used vehicle, contact Taylor Anderson Law Firm in Charleston. We can review the crash, repair history, and preserved evidence to help determine whether you may have a product liability claim.

Posted on behalf of Taylor Anderson Law Firm