Is Airbag Deployment Considered a Major Accident?
2 Answers
Airbag deployment is considered a major accident because car airbags are designed to deploy only in emergency situations, specifically when the vehicle experiences a severe impact, to protect the passengers. Compared to other malfunctions, airbag deployment is categorized as a major accident. The airbag is a safety device in vehicles, designed to minimize damage to passengers when the car suffers a severe impact. Airbags are one-time-use active safety devices and cannot be reused once deployed. Experiments have shown that airbag systems are triggered only under very strong impact forces.
The deployment of airbags usually indicates a quite severe accident, qualifying as a major incident. This is because the airbag system is designed intelligently to trigger only when the collision reaches a certain speed and impact force, conditions that typically pose a significant threat to personal safety. From my experience with numerous vehicle inspections, once airbags deploy, it suggests the impact may have compromised the vehicle's frame or engine compartment, potentially increasing future driving risks. Repairs aren't cheap either—the entire airbag module must be replaced, along with possible damage to other components, prompting insurance companies to classify the vehicle as a major accident car. Even if the car remains drivable post-accident, I recommend towing it to a professional shop for a thorough inspection to ensure the safety systems are intact. After all, it's a matter of life and death.
