Are car air bags safe for expectant mothers?

An air bag is a flexible envelope that inflates to protect car occupants from injuring themselves on interior car objects such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows during a crash.

When a car accident occurs, air bags deploy quickly and with great force. In the past, experts were concerned that air bags might not be safe for expectant mothers because they could injure the unborn child when they inflate. However, a recent study at the University of Washington compared car accidents involving pregnant women—in vehicles with and without air bags—and concluded that airbags do not appear to elevate the risk of pregnancy complications.

Seat Belts and Air Bags

In addition, the current position of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is that the combination of a properly worn seat belt and an airbag provides the best level of protection from injury in the event of a car accident. This applies to all adults—including pregnant women.

Experts advise expectant mothers to wear a seat belt correctly and use the airbags installed in their vehicle. The attorneys at Russell & Lazarus are committed to promoting automobile safety and urge expectant mothers to heed this advice every time they get into a car.

Contact a Costa Mesa Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and need expert legal counsel, contact a Costa Mesa car accident attorney at Russell & Lazarus toll free at (800) 268-9228 for a free consultation. You can also download a free copy of their book, The Nuts and Bolts of Litigating a Personal Injury Claim, for more information.