Is a Car Totaled if Airbags Deploy?
Airbags often deploy during moderate or serious car accidents, but that does not automatically mean the vehicle is totaled. Insurance companies use specific calculations to decide whether a car is a total loss.
These decisions depend on repair costs, the car’s value, and the condition of its frame and safety systems. In Denver, accidents involving airbag deployment can lead to high repair bills, but the car may still be fixable depending on the damage.
What “Totaled” Means in an Auto Insurance Claim
A car is considered totaled when the cost to repair it is higher than the vehicle’s actual cash value, often called ACV. Insurers compare:
- The car’s pre-crash value
- The estimated repair bill
- Hidden damage found during inspection
If repairs are too expensive, the insurance company labels the car a total loss and pays the owner the ACV instead of repairing the vehicle. Airbag deployment is expensive to fix, but it is not the deciding factor on its own.
Some modern cars deploy airbags during lower-speed crashes, especially if the sensors detect a risk to the passengers. Those deployments may cost thousands of dollars to replace, but the rest of the vehicle may still be in good shape.
Why Airbag Deployment Is Expensive
When airbags deploy, several parts must be replaced to return the car to a safe condition. These include:
- The airbag modules
- Sensors
- Seatbelt pretensioners
- The clock spring
- Interior trim pieces
- Sometimes the steering wheel or dashboard
Repairs can also reveal damage to wiring or the vehicle’s computer system. Because airbags are safety equipment, insurers do not allow partial repairs or reused components. Everything must meet factory safety standards.
When Airbag Deployment May Lead to a Total Loss
Even though deployment does not automatically total the car, it can contribute to a total loss when combined with other factors. The car is more likely to be totaled if:
- Several airbags deployed at once
- The frame or unibody is bent
- There is extensive front-end or side damage
- The vehicle’s ACV is low due to age or mileage
- There is structural damage underneath the vehicle
Older cars with lower values are far more likely to be totaled after airbag deployment because even moderate repairs may exceed the vehicle’s worth.
When a Car Is Usually Repairable After Airbags Deploy
Many newer cars have higher values, which means they can often be repaired even if airbags deploy. The car may be repairable when:
- Only one or two airbags deployed
- There is no major frame damage
- The sensors or wiring harness can be replaced without extensive work
- The engine and transmission are still intact
- The repair cost stays below the car’s ACV
Repair shops can restore many vehicles to safe working condition, especially if the crash involved a low or moderate speed impact.
Safety Problems After a Crash With Airbag Deployment
If the car is repaired, it must pass inspections to make sure the safety systems work properly. Failing to replace damaged parts can lead to:
- Faulty airbag sensors
- Airbags that fail to deploy in future crashes
- Electrical issues
- Seatbelt failures
- Warning lights on the dashboard
Insurance companies require repair shops to meet manufacturer standards because cutting corners on safety equipment puts drivers at risk.
Colorado Law and Total Loss Accidents
Colorado gives injured people two years to file most personal injury claims and three years to file lawsuits involving car accidents. Failure to file by these deadlines almost always bars recovery.
The state also follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50 percent bar. Under this rule, a driver can recover compensation only if they are less than 50 percent responsible for the crash. If they are 50 percent or more at fault, they cannot recover damages.
These laws can affect insurance claims and injury cases related to crashes that involve airbag deployment in Denver.
Seeking Help After a Car Accident in Denver
A car is not automatically totaled when airbags deploy. Insurance companies look at the repair costs, the vehicle’s value, and the extent of the damage to decide whether it should be repaired or written off. Airbag replacement is costly, but many cars can still be repaired if the frame and other key systems are not severely damaged.
If you have been in an accident where your airbags deployed, call Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Denver, CO, car accident lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
