They were driving on a highway and a women pulled out in front of them, within about 100' of the truck. There is substantial damage to the front end, especially on the passenger side. The front right corner is the worst. It was pushed in three feet. I see no reason for the airbags not to deploy. They feel their injuries would have been lessened, (Whiplash and extreme bruising from the seatbelts) had the airbags deployed. We would like to know both why they didn't deploy and is this worth pursueing with Ford Motor Company?
2007-07-27 10:45:16 · 7 answers · asked by davengebretson 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
There are sensors that determine when the air bags deploy, and it isn't in every accident, especially accidents that are at an angle as this appears to be. Was this vehicle purchased used? If it had been in an accident previous, and rebuilt many jurisdictions do not require the airbags to be recertified as operational.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/jan2006/bw20060103_767848.htm#11
That being said there have been defective air bags in new vehicles as well.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/airbags/airbags_new_cars.html
If the vehicle was purchased used, did you get a Carfax report showing the accident history?
2007-07-27 21:03:21 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS...................
When you are involved in a frontal collision somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 12-15 mph, a number of things happen very quickly. The sudden deceleration of your vehicle causes 2 SENSORS to send an electrical signal to the diagnostic module. The diagnostic module self tests to confirm that a crash event is taking place, then it allows the signal to trigger the airbag deployment.
I WOULD DEFINITELY CONTACT BOTH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY # 1.800.392.3673
NHTSA # 1.888.327.4236
ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 FORD PICKUP TRUCKS # NHTSA01V082000 WHICH THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS DEFECTIVE.
HOPE THAT THIS HELPS YOU AND MY BEST TO YOUR FOLKS.
2007-07-27 19:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definately persure with Ford as the airbags should have deployed (as long as they are front impact and not side impact). Hope they are ok!
2007-07-27 17:53:11 · answer #3 · answered by firegirlemt21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First make sure thatt he airbags are installed , they have been stolen when serviced by shady shops. Then get a personal injury lawyer who specializes in these cases, good luck and I hope your parents get feeling better soon.
2007-07-27 17:53:51 · answer #4 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, i doubt it, but you should be glad they didnt deploy... the bruising from the belts would still be there, the mike tyson punch to the face that an airbag is would not have made things much better.
2007-07-27 17:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
air bags sensors...are in the center and vehicle was probably going to slow when impact occured....you better have big bucks if you are going after auto company...you should be going after careless driver.....
2007-07-27 20:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by grasshoppah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes they don't deploy if you are going less than 30mph
2007-07-27 17:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by ditdit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋