Are airbags safe?




Airbags have been around now for many years and there is no doubt that they have helped thousands of people avoid serious injury since their use became widespread in even the most modest production vehicles. However in recent years there has been some debate as to whether they may actually cause injury in some situations, and in particular are airbags safe for small children.

Situations where airbags may cause injury

In an accident, an airbag will inflate extremely rapidly, this is a fundamental requirement of an airbag as it needs to be in place before the head comes into contact with any hard objects inside the vehicle.

Problems can arise however if there is a small child sitting in the front passenger seat and they don't have a suitable booster seat for they're size. Car seatbelts are designed to hold adults securely in place in an accident, but a small child can easily slip through a seatbelt unless they have a properly fitted and adjusted booster seat.

In order for the airbag to function properly and provide the required level of protection, the person needs to be restrained by a seatbelt. If unrestrained the person will lurch forward and the force of the airbags inflation could cause more potential head or neck injuries than the accident itself.

Baby seats when fitted in the front passenger seat can also be dangerous. Even though rear facing baby seats are considered to be much safer when fitted properly, the airbag can actually force the baby seat into the back of the front passenger seat which in some situations may injure the child.

How to protect your child from injury

The best way you can protect your child from possible injury in a car accident is to not let them travel in the front passenger seat.

Use an appropriate sized booster seat for the size of your child and fit it according to the manufacturers instructions in the rear seats of your car.

If you have airbags in the rear of the car, it may be possible to temporarily disable the airbag if you intend to fit a rear facing baby seat.

Just the same as a correctly adjusted headrest can help protect an adult from Whiplash in an accident, fitting your childs car or baby seat correctly and according to the manufacturers instructions is paramount to get the best protection for your child.

If you have had a car accident that was not your fault, please give us a call us on 02392 484 244 or start your free Car Call claim enquiry online using the button below, and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury