Side/window Air Bag problems of the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle

While driving on an icy road at 20 mph my car skidded of the road and hit a tree head on. The car will be most likely totaled, and I received injuries to my leg, back, shoulder and neck. Although my car is equipped with both front and side air bags, not one of them deployed. I mentioned the car received massive damage, yet the air bag system did nothing to lessen my injuries because they didn't work as I hoped. I purchased my vw beetle with the safety features in mind, but I now have learned that numerous complaints about the non deployment of air bags is common. I feel fortunate that my injuries were not life threatening, yet feel cheated that my vehilcle's safety features did not work when I needed them most. Dt.