Do air bags deploy if you are rear-ended?

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CarSeatPoncho

New member
If I am at a stop light, and someone bumps me at 40 mph? I would think that even if there is no one in front of me to hit, the force of the rear end collision could send my head into the steering wheel, yes or no?
 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus
Staff member
Front airbags are intended to deploy when their sensors, located in the front of the vehicle and/or in the engine compartment, are tripped by a frontal collision. Being rear ended isn't so likely to trip the front airbag sensors in the car that's rear ended. The car doing the rear ending, on the other hand, is more likely to have the front airbags deploy if the crash is severe enough.
NHTSA's airbag FAQ has lots of good info. and animated crash videos at
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...toid=ba4769fd5ec14110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD

Here's an excerpt:

Frontal air bags typically do not offer protection in rollovers, side-impact or rear-end crashes.
 

barnmama25

New member
Yeah its highly unlikely, as they are said to deploy for the most part when they front bumper is hit at 30mph or greater. But I know first hand that this is not always the case, as I was hit nearly head on at 60mph and watched with disbelief (maybe from the accident itself?) as the passenger airbag went off and my driver side did not, which I was actually very gratefull for seeing as I came out of that accident with no injuries and if the airbag had gone off I would have had extreme cuts on my face.
But yeah thats just my:twocents:
 

Lys

Senior Community Member
If I am at a stop light, and someone bumps me at 40 mph? I would think that even if there is no one in front of me to hit, the force of the rear end collision could send my head into the steering wheel, yes or no?

In a rear end collision, you are going to be pushed BACK in the seat. Your head restraint/rest is what will keep you from being injured. Just as a rear facing child will be supported by the entire back of the shell of their seat in a Frontal impact crash. That is why it is very important to adjust them to your height just like you would your seat belt. Especially when someone else has driven your car.
 
L

LeBraya R Simms

Guest
If I am at a stop light, and someone bumps me at 40 mph? I would think that even if there is no one in front of me to hit, the force of the rear end collision could send my head into the steering wheel, yes or no?
yes. I was rear ended from a large company truck pulling another large truck at 50 mph. Not sure why airbag didnt deploy
 

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