Rollover accidents may be considered as one of the most dangerous types of accidents next to vehicle crashes and collisions.
Rollover accidents may be considered as one of the most dangerous types of accidents next to vehicle
crashes and collisions. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that
more than 10, 000 people die and nearly 26, 000 people are injured in rollover accidents each year.
Records also show that poorly-designed and manufactured vehicle roofs result into injury and deaths in
many rollover accidents. In fact, the NHTSA has attributed 596 deaths and 807 serious injuries each
year due to roof crushes.
Injuries that may be incurred when roof crushes in a rollover accidents are most likely to result in
serious and catastrophic injuries, which may include the following:
• Fractures
• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Severe spinal injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Quadriplegia and paraplegia
Compared to cars and other vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), pickups, and trucks are prone to
rollover accidents due to their unstable center of gravity. Statistics show that both SUVS and trucks
are twice as likely to be involved in rollover accidents as cars.
As a result, federal regulations require a standard roof strength for most vehicles weighing under
6,000 pounds (lbs). However, this regulation does not apply to many SUVs, pickups, and trucks which are
often heavier and do not have roofs that can withstand the pressure during impact in a rollover
accident.
Because of this, the federal government is proposing a law that would significantly improve safety by
revising the roof-crush standard and making the roofs stronger than the required standard. If passed
into law, cars and trucks would be required to have stronger roofs to protect occupants during rollover
accidents.
The proposal also aims to improve other safety features in the vehicle, which would include the
following:
• Roofs will have a stronger middle section to support the displaced weight during an accident,
which is about four times the vehicle weight
• Safety belts must be used at all times to hold occupants in place during a rollover
The revised roof-crush standard would start phasing with the 2012 model year and would apply to all new
vehicles by 2017. Safety experts also believed that the safety cage – the perimeter or zone of the passenger compartment must also be strengthened as it is a key factor in most roof crush accidents.
Claims for Injury
Under the law, victims of roof crushes in rollover accidents are entitled to claim compensation for the
injuries they sustain during the accident.
Under product liability, vehicle manufacturers can be held liable for injuries caused by defects in
vehicles such substandard vehicle roofs.
In establishing liability, a victim does not have to prove negligence in his/her case but merely show
proof that any part or vehicle component is defective.
To help you pursue claims for compensation in roof crushes resulting from rollover accidents, you can
consult with an attorney who specializes in injuries caused by roof crush in rollover accidents.
