NHTSA Complaint #10139115 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT OF A GAS STATION, MAYBE GOING 5 MPH. I RAN OVER A CURB WITH MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING THE CURB, MY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THROUGH ALL OF THE SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAGS, I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE MY ARM HAD SUSTAINED A FIVE INCH BURN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. I THEN HAD TO RETURN TO THE SAME HOSPITAL FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF THE 2ND DEGREE BURN EVERY OTHER DAY FOR A WHOLE WEEK. THE ESTIMATED DAMAGES TO THE CAR ARE $4500+. MY INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER WENT TO THE BODY SHOP LOT WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AFTER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THIS PAST WEEK (ON OCT. 4, 2005). THERE IS A CHARGE, OF COURSE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AIRBAGS AND INSTALLATION AND A CHARGE FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. THAT IS THE ONLY DAMAGE THE CAR RECEIVED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AT ALL TO THE BODY, TIRES OR FRAME FROM RUNNING OVER THE CURB. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT TOOK MORE THAN 5 MPH AND RUNNING OVER A CURB TO MAKE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *JB