Car Totaled But Airbags Didn’t Deploy?

Key Takeaways

• In Maryland, a car is totaled when repair costs exceed 75% of its fair market value before the accident.
• Airbag deployment alone does not determine whether a vehicle is a total loss under Maryland law.
• Multiple parties, including manufacturers and repair shops, may share liability when airbags fail to deploy.
• Faulty sensors, water damage, and worn clock springs are common causes of airbag failure in a crash.
• Accepting a total loss settlement before a full inspection may eliminate critical evidence in a defect claim.

When a front-end collision occurs, a properly functioning vehicle should deploy its airbags to protect the driver and passengers. When that does not happen, the injuries, including whiplash injuries and head trauma, can be severe and the liability picture more complicated than a standard car accident claim.

Many victims also wonder: Is a car totaled if the airbags deploy? In cases where the airbags failed entirely, the damage is often significant enough to raise that question regardless. At Bob Katz Law, our Baltimore car accident attorney helps car accident victims determine whether a manufacturer’s defect contributed to their injuries and how to protect their right to compensation.

When Is a Car Considered Totaled?

In Maryland, a car is considered totaled, a total loss, when repair costs exceed 75% of its fair market value immediately before the accident. Insurance companies calculate this by comparing estimated repair costs with the vehicle’s pre-accident value.

That threshold is set by Maryland law. Under Maryland Code, Transportation Article § 11-152, a vehicle qualifies as “salvage” when the cost to repair it for legal operation on a highway exceeds 75% of its fair market value prior to the damage. So, whether airbags are deployed or not, the determining factor is always the repair-to-value ratio, not the airbag itself.

Airbag replacement is expensive. Replacing deployed airbag modules, sensors, seatbelt pretensioners, and interior trim can add thousands of dollars to a repair estimate. For older vehicles with lower market values, those costs alone may push a claim past the 75% threshold. Newer vehicles with higher values can survive the calculation even after full airbag deployment.

When Should Airbags Deploy?

Front airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal crashes, protecting the driver and passengers from striking hard interior surfaces. Their effectiveness increases when occupants wear seat belts and are properly seated. Modern airbag systems use sensors and algorithms to determine whether deployment is warranted, factoring in crash severity and whether occupants are belted.

A vehicle can sustain significant damage without triggering airbag deployment. If the impact does not reach the front or side sensors directly or falls below the force threshold required to activate the system, the airbags will not deploy. Gradual or angled impacts, even severe ones, may not register the sudden force required by deployment.

What Should You Do If You Think Your Airbags Were Faulty?

When airbags fail to deploy during a crash that should have triggered them, the injuries can be far more severe. If something about your airbag behavior seemed wrong, such as no deployment in a significant collision, partial deployment, or deployment at the wrong moment, that observation matters and should not be dismissed.

Before accepting a total loss settlement, consider speaking with a car accident attorney, especially if you suspect an airbag defect may have contributed to your injuries. Once an insurer deems the vehicle a total loss and pays out, the car may be transferred or destroyed, and with it, critical physical evidence. An attorney can help preserve the vehicle for inspection and investigate whether a product defect contributed to your injuries.

Who Is Liable for Faulty Airbags?

Depending on the facts of the case, several parties may bear responsibility when an airbag fails to perform correctly, including:

• Airbag manufacturers
• Vehicle manufacturers and auto companies
• Component or parts designers
• Car dealerships and sellers
• Repair shops that previously serviced the airbag system

More than one party can share liability depending on where the defect originated. A thorough investigation may reveal whether the failure stemmed from a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or improper repair.

What Causes Airbag Failure

Several conditions can prevent an airbag from deploying when it should, such as:

• Faulty Sensors: Sensors detect whether a crash meets the deployment threshold. When one malfunctions or trips incorrectly, it may deactivate the system entirely and trigger the dashboard warning light.
• Water Damage: Moisture that reaches the airbag module can cause corrosion or short circuits, compromising the system without any visible warning to the driver.
• Drained Backup Battery: The airbag module carries its own power supply separate from the main battery. When that reserve is depleted, the system cannot function during a crash.
• Worn Clock Springs: These components connect the steering wheel electrically to the airbag. Repeated steering movements wear the internal wiring over time, eventually breaking the circuit and disabling the driver-side airbag.
• Prior Crash Damage: Unrepaired damage from a previous collision can leave sensors in a tripped state, preventing the system from resetting for future crashes.

When Airbag Deployment May Lead to a Total Loss

Airbag deployment alone does not total a car, but it can tip the calculation when combined with other damage. Many drivers wonder: Is a car totaled if airbags deploy? And find that the answer depends on the vehicle’s age and the extent of surrounding damage.

Several factors raise the likelihood of a total loss determination after airbags deploy, including:

• Multiple airbags deployed simultaneously
• Significant front-end, side, or structural damage
• A bent or compromised vehicle frame
• High mileage or an older vehicle with a lower market value
• Damage to the wiring harness or onboard computer system

When the airbag replacement cost is added to structural repairs, the combined estimate often exceeds Maryland’s 75% threshold. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbags can only deploy once and must be replaced by an authorized service technician before the vehicle is driven again. That requirement adds labor and parts costs that insurers must factor into the repair estimate, which can push an already borderline calculation past the total loss threshold. Victims should be cautious about accepting early settlement offers before a full damage assessment is completed.

What to Do If Your Airbags Did Not Deploy in an Accident

There are steps you can take if involved in an accident where airbags fail to deploy, including:

• Move yourself and the vehicle to the side of the road if conditions allow
• Call 911 or an ambulance if someone is injured
• Notice the police or a local law enforcement agency about the accident
• Gather information related to the crash
• Seek medical attention
• Inform your insurer about the accident
• Get in touch with a car accident attorney

How to Protect Yourself from Airbags Not Deploying

If the airbag component has a manufacturer’s defect, you may only be aware of the issue once it is too late, when the crash has occurred. Nonetheless, you can take steps to protect yourself, mitigate the impact, and minimize the probability of airbag deployment failure.

In addition to an airbag, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of injury in an accident. If an airbag doesn’t deploy in a crash, a seat belt can prevent you from striking vehicle interiors or being thrown outside.

In addition, choose vehicles with reliable airbags by researching safety ratings and vehicle reliability.

Maryland Law and Total Loss Accidents

Maryland’s total loss standard is set by statute, but insurance companies still control how they apply it. Accident victims who ask: “Is a car totaled if airbags deploy?” often discover that insurers apply the 75% threshold differently depending on how repair estimates are prepared. Adjusters move quickly after an accident, and their initial estimates do not always reflect the full scope of damage. Under Maryland law, the fair market value used in the calculation is determined at the time of the crash, not after depreciation adjustments made during the claims process.

Maryland also follows a contributory negligence rule, which means an injured driver found even partially at fault for a crash may be barred from recovering compensation. That standard makes early documentation and legal guidance especially important after a serious collision. Photographs, police reports, witness information, and medical records all support a stronger claim.

If your airbags failed and you sustained injuries, you may wish to have an attorney evaluate whether a product liability claim against the airbag or vehicle manufacturer is appropriate under the circumstances. Both legal paths address different aspects of your losses and can proceed simultaneously.

Injured in a Car Accident? Speak to an Experienced Attorney in Baltimore, MD

After a car accident in Baltimore, understanding your legal options can make a difference in how your claim moves forward. At Bob Katz Law, we represent injured victims across Maryland and can evaluate whether a faulty airbag, a negligent driver, or both contributed to your losses. Contact us today at (410) 576-4287  for a free consultation to speak with a Baltimore car accident attorney about your case.

Timothy J. Capurso

Timothy J. Capurso is chair of the firm’s Personal Injury Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on personal injury cases of all types, focusing on automobile accidents. His background includes litigating personal injury cases from inception through trial and settlement negotiations. 25+ years of experience.

Contact Timothy J. Capruso