Hit a deer last night at about 50mpg. Never saw him coming out of the ditch (still not sure what side he came from). I just saw a flash of brown and then a very loud bang and lots of stinky airbag smoke. I managed to pull over to the shoulder safely depite the shock. I got out expecting to see major carnage on the front end, but it was not too bad - rumpled hood and driver quarter panel, smashed light cluster, and cracked windshield (probably from airbag, since the deer did not appear to go over the car). It might still be drivable except the battery shorted and the airbags where hanging out. I suffered some cuts and abrasions on my left arm and stomach. I think I had my left hand on the turn signal stalk, since it was torn off (the stalk, not my hand LOL).
My question is, should the airbag have fired? This was my first airbag incident and it was very violent and disorenting, especially since I never saw it coming. In this accident, I think it was more dangerous for the bags to fire - I would not have been injured had they not, and it would have been easier to maintain control. Does anyone know what conditions must exist for the bags to fire (impact, G's, etc)?
Looking for another Contour (since this one is probably totaled),
-Luxury
