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Side airbags - and Next Generation

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gnrob, Jun 7, 2007.

  1. gnrob

    gnrob Junior Member

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    Yesterday I was in a very scary crash when a vehicle overtook my Prius, lost control and hit my car at least three times, causing me to swerve and slide sideways while his car continued to hit mine. For the record, no one was seriously hurt, but my wife and I are going to be checked out by doctors tomorrow. I was traveling 61 mph under cruise control. The guilty party was estimated to be going about 90 when he ran up on the back of my car, according to the two witnesses who waited to give their reports to the highway patrol. He swerved, hit my car which sent it sideways, and the action ensued. One of the hits was directly into the driver's door. No side airbags deployed. We think it should have done so. The driver's door would not open after the crash.

    Does anyone know for sure what should have happened with the side airbags?

    Thanks,
    Rob Morrison

    PS-The insurance adjuster said it is probably a total loss, which is just as well. I plan on getting a new Prius. When it the next generation coming out?

    Note-I am going to post this to both Prius-2G on Yahoo and PriusChat.
     

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    #1 gnrob, Jun 7, 2007
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Look at the picture, I don't think the side airbag would've deployed (whether it should or shouldn't is another matter).

    The reason why is because your B-pillar is more or less intact. I believe the sensor is near the B-pillar.

    The next generation is expected for 2009MY which probably means Sept '08 or thereabouts.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 7, 2007
  3. edselpdx

    edselpdx Member

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    Ouch, scary-sounding crash! Glad you seem to be OK. Airbag systems aren't designed to deploy in just any side hit. There has to be a certain amount of intrusion into the passenger space, and your picture actually doesn't indicate that the interior was threatened (just the doors, the rocker panel, the frame...).

    Airbags are designed to deploy to prevent injury from the door/frame coming into you and your side with enough force to cause significant injury. Airbags in and of themselves can cause injuries from burns to whiplash to broken ribs because of how they explode to inflate at such a high rate, so you really only want the to deploy to prevent a bigger injury.

    It doesn't sound like a malfunction to me. If you had suffered a broken arm/shoulder or internal injury from the side impact and the airbag didn't deploy, I'd agree that it was a malfunction.
     
    #3 edselpdx, Jun 7, 2007
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Given that you weren't seriously hurt, and looking at the pictures, an airbag deployment would have been an over reaction to the crash and would have had a chance of inducing injury. It looks like the air bags did what they were supposed to do.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Jun 7, 2007
  5. clintbhs02

    clintbhs02 New Member

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    Ya you dont need side airbags in that crash. The only sing the side airbag does is protect your chest area(seat mounted), and head (curtain airbags). That damage looks very minimal and should be popped out in a week or 2. Be glad your airbags didnt go off cause those are pricey.

    The side airbags sensors are located in your manual and I believe it is on the center pillar. Glad your ok tho
     
    #5 clintbhs02, Jun 7, 2007
  6. gnrob

    gnrob Junior Member

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    From what everyone has said, it appears that the side air bags did not need to deploy. We were not thrown about significantly, just enough to get a little sore in the neck. My xrays show no injury. My wife has less soreness than I do. In any case, I will be getting a new Prius, probably the "sport" model.
    Thanks for your input.

    Rob
     
    #6 gnrob, Jun 7, 2007
  7. GoEco

    GoEco Red Prii Rule

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    That sounds horrific! I'm glad you are both okay and your Prius kept you safe.
     
    #7 GoEco, Jun 8, 2007
  8. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Glad you weren't hurt. I agree that the air bags acted properly. I hope the maniac doing 90 spends time in jail and loses his license.
     
    #8 daniel, Jun 8, 2007
  9. Michgal007

    Michgal007 Senior Member

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    I am glad you are ok, and I will feel even safer in my car now.
     
    #9 Michgal007, Jun 8, 2007
  10. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Jun 8 2007, 06:53 AM) [snapback]457969[/snapback]</div>
    Ditto.

    In terms of "totaling", does that dent at the bottom constitute damage to the frame?

    Dave M.
     
    #10 dmckinstry, Jun 8, 2007
  11. gnrob

    gnrob Junior Member

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    Thanks for all your good wishes.

    The current running total of damages is $9113. without any inspection under the car or past what can be seen by walking around and pulling back the broken rear quarter panel. B-column is compromised as well as lots of heavier steel parts behind the outer skin. A lot of metal crumpled and tore apart, small bits at a time. Some places have the appearance of torn cloth, but it is actually steel.

    A lot of energy was absorbed by the design of those now crumpled parts. So you may feel quite a bit more comfortable in your Prius knowing that it will protect you quite well. But it will cost a lot to get it fixed again.

    As several people have pointed out, the airbags did not deploy because they were not required.

    The downside is that the car will be worth less simply due to this damage than it would be if there had been no wreck. Hope the insurance company agrees.

    Thanks,
    Rob Morrison
     
    #11 gnrob, Jun 8, 2007
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