serious front collision in car airbag didnt deploy

goldspanners

mikey72 wrote: »

If the op claimed the brakes hadn't worked, would he get the same response? If safety equipment you have paid for, and expected to function fails, some form of redress is required.

no, of course not, the first thing i would have asked is what age is the vehicle, who maintains it, when was it last serviced,when was the brake fluid changed,when were the pads,discs,shoes changed?
we dont know how old this yaris is? is it 10 years old or is it brand new? is there a service schedule for the airbag system or even an expiry date on the airbag?

sarahg1969

Hintza wrote: »

The OP will be fully entitled to compensation if they can prove that the airbag was faulty...

And he will then have to prove that his injuries were caused, or exacerbated, by the failure of the airbag.

dizzycreak

Just to clear some things up, the car was only 18mths old, serviced and well maintained. Driver, an advanced driver and very careful, was not drunk or at fault according to the police, but has no memory of the accident. Most likley cause was him swerving off main road for something in road or oncomming car.

Would have been travelling about 40 mph so hit fence with some force and either flipped then or fell forward falling on its bonnet then flipping on to back.

The injury was severe and it looked like he might have lost his arm but very dedicated drs saved it.

We are so grateful that he is here with us and not in a more serious condition but doubts about the airbag are in our mind. The cars have a good safty record and it did protect most of him but if the airbag had a fault then how many others do and another person may not be so lucky.

Thank you for your comments and thoughts, they are very varied.

thescouselander

I think it unlikely that the airbag will have had a fault that went undetected. These systems self check and most faults are picked up causing the airbag light to come illuminate on the dash.

It would just be speculation to try and work out what happened but if you are really concerned I suggest you get the car examined by an independent expert. In the mean time don't let Toyota get their hands on the car incase they destroy any evidence (either inadvertently or on purpose).