NHTSA complaint: 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I AM A DEPUTY SHERIFF AND WAS DRIVING A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ENDING UP IN A DITCH. DURING THE COLLISION MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED FRACTURING MY STERNUM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM ALONG WITH BREAKING A RIB. SINCE THE COLLISION I RECEIVED MY MRI RESULT FINDING I ALSO HAVE TWO COMPACTED DISKS IN MY NECK AND A COMPACTED DISK IN MY LOWER BACK. I AM AN AVERAGE SIZE MAN 5'9" TALL 190 POUNDS VERY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND A BULLET PROOF VEST. THE "BLACK BOX" IN THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE IMPACT WAS AT 11 MPH. ACCORDING TO MY DOCTOR THE BREAK TO MY STERNUM WOULD TAKE A MASSIVE FORCE WHICH WAS ALSO VERIFIED BY MY PULMONARY SPECIALIST.. I HAVE INVESTIGATED HUNDREDS OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AS A PEACE OFFICER AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD OF AN AIRBAG BREAKING SOMEONE'S STERNUM OR RIB(S). I STRONGLY FEEL IF A ELDERLY PERSON, TEENAGER, WOMAN OR SHORT INDIVIDUAL WOULD MORE SERIOUSLY BE INJURED IF THEY RECEIVE THE IMPACT I DID. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation