Do Deployed Airbags Mean a Totaled Vehicle?

A traffic collision in Hawthorne, California, can instantly change your life. One moment you’re heading down Crenshaw Boulevard—and the next, your airbags explode into action. But does this mean your car is a total loss? 

Deployed airbags are often misunderstood, especially when navigating personal injury claims and insurance policies. Knowing your rights is critical whether you’re dealing with damaged vehicles, medical expenses, or property damages. 

Let’s explore it step by step to guide you toward your best next move.

Airbag Deployment and Total Loss: What’s the Real Connection?

While deployed airbags may look dramatic, they don’t always mean your car is totaled. The determining factor is how much the full repair (airbags and all) costs relative to your car’s actual cash value (ACV).

Quick Fact: According to NHTSA.gov, frontal airbags have saved over 50,000 lives in the past 30 years.

Cost of Replacing Deployed Airbags

Replacing airbags isn’t cheap. Here’s what you could be looking at:

When paired with body damage (more on that below), these costs can push the repair estimate close to or over your car’s ACV, prompting the insurer to label it a “total loss.”

What Other Damage Can Come With Deployed Airbags?

Airbag deployment usually indicates a major impact, which suggests additional damage is likely. This can include:

• Crushed bumpers or fenders
• Broken windshields
• Damaged sensors (brake assist, lane keep assist)
• Seatbelt tensioners that need resetting
• Repairs to the steering wheel or dashboard

If your airbags deploy in a car accident, request a full post-crash diagnostic to capture all damages, both visible and unseen.

When Do Insurance Companies Declare a Vehicle Totaled?

Your insurer will compare the estimated repair costs to your car’s actual cash value (ACV) before the crash. If the cost to fix the vehicle is too high compared to its value, they may declare it a total loss.

Factors that can influence a total loss decision:

• Your car’s market value before the accident
• Cost of parts and labor
• Hidden damage, such as frame or sensor issues
• Internal guidelines set by your insurer
• Whether repair costs make the car uneconomical to restore

💡 Tip: In California, there is no strict state-mandated formula for determining a total loss, so each insurance company may follow its guidelines when making that decision. Always review your insurance policy and demand a copy of the repair estimate and total loss valuation.

How to Protect Your Injury Claim After Airbag Deployment

If you’re filing personal injury claims after a crash involving deployed airbags, take these critical steps:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms are minor
2. Get multiple repair estimates to challenge lowball offers
3. Preserve evidence (photos, accident reports, injury documentation)
4. Don’t speak to insurance adjusters without consulting a personal injury lawyer
5. Consult the best car accident lawyer in Crenshaw, experienced with personal injury cases.

Delayed Symptoms and Hidden Injuries: Why You Shouldn’t Settle Fast

Airbags can prevent wrongful death, but they don’t guarantee you’re injury-free. Some injuries may appear hours or days later:

• Brain injuries
• Internal bruising or bleeding
• Catastrophic injuries like spinal trauma
• Soft tissue damage

Delayed injuries are common in vehicle accidents. Always factor these into your economic damages before accepting a settlement.

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