# 1991 DODGE SPIRIT — AIR BAGS
> NHTSA complaint `179785` · 1999-10-23 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** SPIRIT
- **Year:** 1991
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** AIR BAGS
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
I TRIED TO STEER AWAY FROM A  CRASH BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT.  MY RIGHT ARM WAS THEREFORE IN THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THREW MY RIGHT ARM INTO THE WINDSHIELD SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND MY ELBOW KNOCKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF THE WINDOW.  THE SEATBELT RESTRAINED ME APPROPRIATELY AND I HAD  SOME SEATBELT BRUISING BUT THE AIRBAG SEVERELY CONTUSED MY ARM AND ELBOW  WITH POSSIBLE FRACTURES AND CRUSHED BONES RESULTING IN MY ARM BEING IMMOBILIZED IN A LONG ARM CAST.  THE SWELLING AND PAIN WAS SO SEVERE THAT  THE DOCTORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FULL EXTENT OF THE INJURIES.  NOW TODAY THEY THINK THAT A TRAUMATIC FUSION MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN MY WRIST.  ARE THERE ANY OTHER INJURIES REPORTED THAT HAVE  CAUSED OTHER VICTIMS TO HAVE THEIR ARM/S THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD BY A DEPLOYING AIR BAG?  I DO SIT  AT LEAST  12 INCHES AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARDS MY FACE OR CHEST, BUT RATHER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*