Airbag device for a motor vehicle, and airbag cushion for an airbag device

An airbag apparatus in combination with a seat of a motor vehicle, the airbag apparatus comprising:

• a gas generator;
• an airbag cushion connected to the gas generator and arranged on a first lateral side of a seat frame of the seat, the airbag cushion deployable on the first lateral side of the seat frame in a plane extending parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction and perpendicular to a lateral direction, the airbag cushion for protecting a head and thorax of a passenger in an event of a side impact or vehicle rollover, the airbag cushion defining a recessed central region for accommodating a shoulder of the passenger;
• and
• a first traction element having a first end coupled to a rear side of the recessed central region and a second end coupled to the seat frame of the seat, the first traction element extending between the seat frame and the airbag cushion generally in the lateral direction when the airbag cushion is deployed.