A man from the UK was killed from exposure to noxious substances when his airbag was punctured after a minor accident in November of 2010.

According to a report from IOL Motoring, Ronald Smith of Mardsen, South Shields in the UK was making his way home from work when he was involved in a six car crash.

The accident was not serious, and Smith was not injured, though his airbag still deployed. A bit of glass punctured the airbag, sending gases and white powder into the air, which Smith then inhaled.

A short time after his accident, Smith was put on a ventilator at South Tyneside District Hospital after suffering from random fits of coughing and breathlessness without any kind of physical exertion. He was pronounced dead three weeks later due to bronchial pneumonia.

A report published by the local coroner’s office said that Smith “died as a result of the car crash and more pointedly because of the explosion of his airbag, and exposure to noxious substances.”

Smith was driving in a Vauxhall Insignia at the time of the crash, and General Motors (the maker of the car) is looking into the incident. Airbags are inflated through a chemical called Sodium azide, which turns into nitrogen gas when heated.

Sodium azide is known to be toxic to humans, though this incident seems to be the first of its kind, with the contents of the airbag killing the driver. More research and testing will now be conducted to further test the substance and its harmful potential for accidents in the future.

Airbags are intended to save lives, cushioning a vehicle’s occupants from the harsh impacts of a crash. That such a safety device could actually lead to the very thing it is designed to prevent is unsettling.

More testing is needed to determine if this is anything more than a once in a lifetime, freak occurrence, but if an airbag puncture is all that is needed to expose drivers to deadly substances, a new process should be investigated for inflating our vehicles’ airbags.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident like this, causing the deployment of your airbag, you need help right away. The Law Office of Robert Koenig has the knowledge and experience needed to help get you the compensation you deserve. You need the assistance of a well-trained Las Vegas accident lawyer who can fight for your rights and accurately represent all of your concerns.

Our accident lawyers are well-versed in all of Nevada’s complicated state laws, and can work hard to properly serve you and the community you live in, both as legal professionals and as citizens who share the road with you. Call the Law Office of Robert Koenig today for your free evaluation!