Has anyone heard of airbags deploying without an accident? Just driving down the road and WAM! It happened to my wife's sister last night. She was driving her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Heard a loud bang and felt a sharp pain in her left arm. Then she realized that she couldn't see out of her window. She was so disoriented that she didn't realize what happened until she pulled over. She called the police who came out and filled out a report. I can't EVER remember hearing a story of something like this ever happening without a impact or something hitting the side of the car. She is ok for the most part... Pain in that one arm and is now without a car until she figures out what she is going to do. Its very strange. Thoughts?
who though? VW? The VW Dealership she bought it from? It was bough used... about a year old. Everyone I talk to says the same thing. That is why she got the police to file the report. The cop looked over the whole car and said he found nothing. Now its waiting to be inspected by GEICO.
Airbags detonate prematurely sometimes, it is very common and nothing to be ashamed of. There are various techniques to control this, but perhaps the most important factor to consider is whether the driver has reached her destination prior to the detonation. barfo
fight club recall equation. Take the number of vehicles in the field (A), multiply it by the probable rate of failure (B), then multiply the result by the average out-of-court settlement (C). A times B times C equals X. If X is less that the cost of a recall, they don't do one.
I've had many claims about spontaneously deploying airbags. As for suing someone, what are your damages? How were you personally injured?
are you a lawyer? Yes her arm is bothering her. Remember it was the side impact airbags. The drop down ones (that cover the window) and the one from the seat. Her left hand is numb and her arm is sore due to having her arm resting on the door / window when it went off. She uses a computer all day so it will be interesting to see how work goes for her tomorrow. She was also on her way to NY from DC. Now she has to leave her car in NY with Geico and has to ride the train back. She is without a car now until she figures everything out. Do you think she should get the car fixed or wait to talk to a lawyer?
If she wants to sue she should talk to a lawyer. The vehicle may have an Event Data Recorder that might explain why the vehicle thought she was going to be in an accident and deployed. If she gets the vehicle fixed then it is possible that at some point that data may be wiped from the Event Data Recorder. However, it doesn't sound like she was hurt that bad. I guess I would want to know what happened, because I would be concerned that the airbag might deploy again.
That's true. I remember a few years ago when the cost of the recall would have been more than the settlements from the vehicles killing people (there was a problem with the gas tank that, with a slight bump, could explode). It was pretty messed up in my opinion.
I'm a claims adjuster with over 13,000 claims adjusted. I would either contact the auto maker or in a case like this, getting an attorney isn't a bad idea. Just don't get one who has the big ad in the phone book.
Do you ever find a claim that is just perfect, and needs no adjustment? Or would you get fired if you don't adjust every single one? barfo
