> In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, sports utility vehicles were notorious for rolling over during accidents. Although some safety measures have greatly reduced the odds of rolling over during an accident, rollovers still occur. These rollover accidents frequently kill or seriously injure the vehicle’s occupants. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 280,000 rollover accidents occur each year, killing more than 10,000 people each year.
SUVs are much more likely to roll over in an accident than smaller passenger vehicles. Rollover accidents are related to a vehicle’s stability during turns. In vehicles with a higher center of gravity and a narrower body, like SUVs, the vehicles can become unstable in fast turns. In 2001, the NHTSA introduced a rollover rating system in an attempt to notify the public of the risk of a certain vehicle rolling over.
Fortunately, technology changes have made SUVs much safer. New technology, including electronic stability control, has been a huge factor in reducing fatality rates for SUV drivers. Electronic stability control is a computer system that helps drivers maintain control over the SUV on wet roads and during sudden turns. All SUVs sold in the United States now have electronic stability control. SUVs also have more stable designs that in years past, which have also decreased death rates. In addition, SUV manufacturers have made SUV roofs much stronger, which reduce the odds of the roof crushing during a rollover. Crushed roofs can be extremely deadly to vehicle occupants during a rollover.
Sports utility vehicles are now considered among the safest vehicles on the road. However, if you have an older SUV without the newest safety vehicles, you could still be at risk during a crash. Also, in the newer SUVs with the safety features, sometimes those features malfunction, which could result in a rollover crash in the event of an accident.
People involved in rollover crashes can suffer horrific injuries, especially if they aren’t wearing their seatbelts. In the majority of fatal rollover accidents, the victim is ejected from the vehicle because he or she isn’t wearing a seatbelt. Accident victims can suffer serious, disfiguring 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 fault vehicle design. You may 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 automobile manufacturers have a duty to make their automobiles safe for the public. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident in the Oakland area, 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. Micha Star Liberty will help you sort through your potential claims in order to determine which party bears responsibility for your accident. Call her today for a free consultation.
