Air Bag Not Deploy problems of the 1997 BMW 528

While driving at night on interstate 5, southbound north of los angeles in vicinity of sun valley, my 1997 BMW 528i struck a large (30 gallon) plastic barrel in the roadway, impacting the lower front center/right of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. Damage was extensive enough that the insurance company considers it a total loss (exceeding $12,000). There is a NHTSA recall outstanding on the 1997 BMW 5 series (recall number 04v183000) regarding defective front suspension/strut components, but my call to BMW at 800-831-1117 did not result in any assistance with regard to my vehicle. They were only able to confirm two other recall services that had been performed. My insurance company is offering me a settlement for total loss, but I would prefer that the car be repaired and that BMW bear their share of the cost for the substantial portion of damage due to the known defect.

I'd like to request an inspector to check on my vehicle. This is the second time I had an accident likt this but the airbag did not deploy.

While driving 20mph had head-on collision with another vehicle, and airbags did not deploy. Driver injured. Dealer contacted.

The abs brakes failed to operate when applied upon slowing down to make a turn, causing the vehicle to go down a 6 to 8 foot hill, hitting a tree and the air bags did not deploy. Please describe details.