Big Crash - No Airbags

[lexus82]

Hi everyone. It's a shame that my first post is a sad one.

My 2006 GS300 SE is no more. Unfortunately I had a fairly big accident the other night and the car is now written off.

I was travelling between 50 and 60 mph down the hill from my house at about 1am and then hit standing water (flood) and went straight into a grass verge, stone dyke wall and a tree while in the process rolling the car once. Luckily I am okay and only suffered some bad whiplash, cuts to my face and hands and some bruising. So the car did it's job of keeping me alive.

The car was not as lucky. Most panels damaged, windows smashed, roof caved in, drivers door wouldn't open, etc.

My only concern is that the car is fitted with loads of safety airbags/curtains and none of them were activated. Has anyone got any ideas of what is required for these to work. I would have expected that the curtains should have gone off as they are supposed to if the car rolls.

I'm considering getting the same car with the insurance money but just want some confidence about airbags etc.

Cheers

[jsj24uk]

Airbags will not always go off in every accident. Alot of it has to do with speed, deceleration, angle of impact, etc. You may have found that the seat belt pretentioners have fired which the safety system would have deemed enough for that particular crash situation. Airbag systems are now far more intelligent that they once were and will not always deploy if the system doesn't think it is necessary. Look on youtube under gs300 crash test and you will see they will deploy in an extremely heavy frontal impact.

On another note, glad to hear that your still with us.

[Parthiban]

I'm really sorry to hear of your accident, but I'm glad you could walk away with minor injuries.........

As for airbags, I think the curtains will only deploy with considerable side impact, so if the car flipped onto its roof it may not have suffered the required impact for them to open.

[lexus82]

Thanks guys for feedback. I just want some piece of mind before spending insurance on same car again. The shopping starts again!