Can You Fix a Car with Deployed Airbags? Repair and Insurance Guide

When your airbags deploy during a car accident, it’s a sign they’ve done their job, potentially saving you from serious injury. However, the immediate aftermath can be confusing and stressful. A common question that arises is: “Can You Fix A Car With Deployed Airbags?” Understanding the repair process, costs, and how insurance companies handle such situations is crucial. This guide will walk you through what you need to know.

Airbags are a vital safety feature in modern vehicles, designed to inflate rapidly upon impact to cushion occupants. Deployment is triggered by sensors detecting a significant collision, typically at speeds of 8 mph or higher. While airbag deployment is a safety measure, it can lead to concerns about the vehicle’s condition and repairability.

Understanding Car Damage After Airbag Deployment

It’s important to understand that airbag deployment itself doesn’t automatically mean your car is beyond repair. The deployment indicates that your vehicle experienced a significant impact, and assessing the full extent of the damage is the first step.

Is My Car Totaled After Airbag Deployment?

Not necessarily. A car is typically considered “totaled” when the cost of repairs exceeds a certain percentage of its actual cash value (ACV). This percentage varies by state and insurance company, often ranging from 50% to 75%.

Airbag deployment can contribute significantly to repair costs, but whether it leads to a total loss depends on several factors:

• Vehicle’s Actual Cash Value (ACV): The older and less valuable your car, the more likely it is to be totaled if repairs are needed.
• Extent of Other Damages: Airbag deployment is usually accompanied by other damage from the accident, such as structural damage, body damage, and mechanical issues. The cumulative cost of all these repairs is what matters.
• Cost of Airbag System Replacement: Airbag systems are designed for single use and must be replaced after deployment. This includes not just the airbags themselves, but also sensors, control modules, and potentially seatbelts and other related components.

Edward Friedman, reviewed expert on car accident law.

The High Cost of Airbag Replacement

Replacing deployed airbags is a significant expense. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s costly:

• New Parts Required: Deployed airbags cannot be reused or refurbished. New airbags, sensors, and potentially control modules must be installed.
• Labor Intensive: Replacement involves dismantling parts of the dashboard, steering wheel, seats, and potentially other areas of the car to access and replace the airbag system components. This requires specialized labor.
• System Calibration: After replacement, the entire airbag system needs to be calibrated and tested to ensure it functions correctly in the future.

The cost for replacing just one airbag can range from $1,000 to $1,500, including parts and labor. If multiple airbags deployed (frontal, side, curtain airbags), the costs can quickly escalate, significantly increasing the overall repair bill.

Insurance Claims and Airbag Deployment

Navigating insurance claims after airbag deployment can be complex. Here’s what you need to know:

Filing Your Insurance Claim

1. Report the Accident: Immediately notify your insurance company about the accident and airbag deployment.
2. Document Everything: Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, including the deployed airbags. Obtain a police report if possible.
3. Cooperate with the Adjuster: Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and determine coverage.

Insurance Adjuster Assessment

The insurance adjuster will evaluate the damage to your car, including the deployed airbags, and estimate the repair costs. They will compare these costs to your car’s ACV to determine if it should be considered a total loss.

Insurance adjusters may try to minimize payouts. It’s essential to:

• Get Independent Estimates: Obtain your own repair estimates from reputable auto body shops. This gives you a baseline to compare with the insurance adjuster’s estimate.
• Understand Your Policy: Know your policy’s terms regarding accident coverage, total loss thresholds, and procedures.
• Negotiate Fairly: Be prepared to negotiate with the adjuster to ensure a fair settlement that covers the necessary repairs or the actual value of your totaled vehicle.

Legal Options if Insurance Falls Short

Sometimes, insurance companies offer settlements that are too low or unfairly deny claims. In such cases, you have legal options:

• Challenge the Offer: You can dispute a low settlement offer by providing evidence of higher repair costs or arguing for a more accurate ACV of your vehicle.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Consult with a car accident lawyer, especially if you believe the insurance company is acting in bad faith or undervaluing your claim. An attorney can help you negotiate, represent you in disputes, and even pursue legal action if necessary.

Fixing Your Car After Airbag Deployment: Is It Worth It?

Deciding whether to fix a car with deployed airbags depends on several factors:

• Repair Costs vs. Car Value: Compare the total repair estimate (including airbag replacement and other damages) to your car’s ACV. If repairs are close to or exceed the ACV, it might not be financially sensible to repair it.
• Insurance Coverage: How much will your insurance cover? If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, your insurer should cover repairs up to your policy limits, minus your deductible.
• Personal Circumstances: Consider your financial situation, the availability of alternative transportation, and your need for a vehicle.

In many cases, it is possible to fix a car with deployed airbags. However, it’s crucial to make an informed decision based on a thorough assessment of the damage, repair costs, insurance coverage, and your personal needs. Consulting with a trusted mechanic and potentially a car accident attorney can help you navigate this process and make the best choice for your situation.

If your airbags did not deploy in a situation where they should have, and you sustained injuries, you might have grounds for a claim related to airbag defects. This is a separate but important consideration after a car accident.

For expert guidance on car accident claims and understanding your rights after airbag deployment, it’s advisable to consult with a car accident lawyer. They can provide personalized advice and support to help you through this challenging time.