1. Frontal Impact: The driver's airbag primarily deploys during frontal crashes where the vehicle collides with another object head-on or at an angle. Sensors in the car detect the sudden and significant deceleration and trigger the airbag inflation.
2. Side Impact (Some Vehicles): Advanced vehicles may have side-impact airbags installed for the driver. These deploy when the vehicle receives substantial force from the side, reducing head and chest injuries during side collisions.
3. Rollover (Select Vehicles): Some modern cars feature rollover sensors that can inflate the driver's airbag in situations where the vehicle flips over or rolls significantly, providing enhanced protection in these rare scenarios.
Passenger Airbag Deployment:
1. Frontal Impact: Similar to the driver's airbag, the passenger airbag primarily deploys during substantial frontal crashes to safeguard the front-seat passenger from being thrown forward and impacting hard surfaces.
2. Side Impact (Certain Vehicles): If equipped, front-seat side airbags for passengers inflate during side collisions to lessen the occupant's risk of severe injuries.
3. Rear Impact (Specific Cars): A few advanced vehicles include rear passenger airbags. They activate during significant rear-end collisions to protect rear-seat passengers, especially children in child restraint systems.
Keep in mind that the specific conditions for airbag deployment can vary slightly across vehicle makes and models based on their individual safety systems.
If you have concerns about airbag deployment in your specific vehicle, you should refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for accurate information.
