In prior decades, when sports utility vehicles were fairly new, they were notorious for rolling over during accidents. Rollovers still occur today, although in recent years safety features have reduced the odds of a rollover. When a SUV does rollover, the vehicle’s occupants are often killed or catastrophically injured. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released safety statistics which show that over 280,000 rollover accidents occur each year. Over 10,000 people are killed each year.
Today, technology changes have made SUVs much safer. New technology and safety features, particularly electronic stability control, have been a big factor in reducing fatality rates in sports utility vehicle accidents. Electronic stability control is a computer system that assists drivers in maintaining control over the SUV on slick roads and sudden maneuvering. Today, all SUVs sold in the United States now have electronic stability control.
Sports utility vehicles also have designs that are more stable, which have also decreased the odds of a rollover. Also, SUV manufacturers have made SUV roofs much stronger, which reduce the odds of the roof crushing during a rollover, which can easily kill a driver or passengers.
Today, SUVs are among some of the safest vehicles on the road. However, older SUVs without the newer safety features can still put occupants at risk. In newer SUVs with more safety features, rollovers can still occur, especially if the safety features malfunction.
Even today, sports utility vehicles are more likely to roll over in an accident than smaller passenger vehicles, because of the vehicle’s stability during turns. In vehicles like SUVs, that have a higher center of gravity and a narrow body, the automobile can become unstable. Over a decade ago the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration introduced a rollover rating system, which alerts vehicle buyers to the risk of a certain vehicle rolling over.
Individuals involved in rollover crashes can suffer terrible injuries, especially if they aren’t wearing their seatbelts or if the roof is crushed during the accident. In most fatal rollover accidents, the victim is thrown out of the SUV because he didn’t wear a seatbelt. In these accidents, the victims can suffer catastrophic injuries or death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident, you may have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer because of a faulty vehicle design. You could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (including future medical expenses), lost wages, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that SUV manufacturers have a duty to make their vehicles as safe as possible. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident in the Oakland area, including San Francisco, Hayward, Tracy, Fairfield or Berkeley, call Liberty Law at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000. You may have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer, the other driver involved in the crash, or another party. Call her today for a free consultation.
