Pittsburgh, PA (August 20, 2025) – A seven-year-old child suffered a head injury Tuesday afternoon after a crash near Fort Couch Road resulted in airbag deployment. The incident, which triggered an automatic crash detection alert, occurred just outside a Walgreens parking area in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.
Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 1:10 p.m. following a notification from a vehicle’s onboard crash alert system. Initial 911 audio captured screaming in the background, and responders confirmed the child was experiencing head pain consistent with airbag impact.
Medics arrived quickly and treated the child at the scene before arranging further care. Authorities have not confirmed whether the child was seated in the front or rear of the vehicle at the time of deployment. The scene was secured near the 180 block of Fort Couch Rd, and police are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision.
Our thoughts are with the injured child and their family, and we wish a full and safe recovery.
Children and Airbag-Related Injuries in Car Crashes
Tuesday’s crash near Fort Couch Rd brings renewed attention to the serious risks children face in vehicle collisions—particularly when airbags deploy. While airbags save lives in high-impact crashes, they can also cause injury when deployed near children under 13, especially if a child is seated in the front passenger seat.
In this case, the seven-year-old’s reported head pain is consistent with airbag force, which can cause blunt trauma, whiplash, or facial injuries. Pediatric patients are especially vulnerable due to their smaller size and seating position, making proper car seat and booster seat use essential to minimizing risk.
Fort Couch Road is a busy connector in Pittsburgh’s South Hills region, surrounded by shopping centers and residential neighborhoods. Sudden braking, turns into parking lots, and distracted driving are common contributors to crashes in this corridor.
According to the NHTSA and pediatric trauma research, children should always ride in the back seat, properly restrained, to reduce the chances of injury from airbags or crash forces. Even at lower speeds, collisions with modern safety features can still produce significant impact-related injuries.
For families, accidents involving children often bring additional emotional and logistical challenges—from hospital visits and school absences to insurance complexities and long-term monitoring.
If your child has been hurt in a crash, support is available to help you navigate what comes next.
When a child is injured, every decision matters. Local Accident Reports is here to help you understand your options, connect with resources, and take the right steps forward. Reach out today for caring, informed guidance.