SUV Rollovers Pose Serious Auto Accident Risks
Keywords: claim, roof crush, attorneys, legal, law, lawyer, lawyers, lawsuit, SUV rollovers, crashworthiness
The sport utility vehicle (SUV) has the highest rate of death in rollover accidents. According to government tests, SUV rollovers are almost three times more likely to occur than in the average passenger car, and the most stable SUV is still more unstable than the most unstable car. In 2002, nearly 11,000 people died in rollover accidents, 61 percent of which occurred in SUVs.
With the number of people killed in SUV rollovers increasing by 14 percent per year, consumers should be aware of the risks SUVs pose to their families. Even more alarming than the rising rollover statistics is the withholding of rollover information by the government and auto manufacturers.
Sobering Statistics
Though the number of SUV rollover fatalities continues to escalate, but SUVs are not being manufactured to better resist rollover crashes. Not a single SUV earned the federal agency’s highest safety rating, according to an NHTSA report in 2003. However, SUV consumption has increased: SUV popularity created a large increase in sales in the 1990s, and because of high consumer demand for these cars, car makers continue to manufacture SUVs. Because the vehicle has changed from simply being an off-road vehicle to a replacement for the family station wagon, manufacturers removed the roll bar that protects drivers and passengers in a rollover situation from SUVs.
Many SUV rollover accidents occur because of the unusual propensity the large car has to roll over when steered hard in foreseeable accident avoidance maneuvers. Also, the size and height of an SUV may increase the danger of rollovers. SUV defects, like weak roofs and safety restraint system failures, are some of the heightened risks involved in an SUV rollover situation. Roof Crush Injury
Roof crush injury is most often the result of rollover automobile accidents. Roof crush injuries kill 10,000 people every year. Vehicle design is supposed to depend on a structural support system that creates a “survival space” that protects car occupants in a crash from injury due to roof crush. When a vehicle does not have the proper roof pillar strength, it will cause the roof to cave into the passenger compartment during an accident. A weak roof makes a vehicle defective, and roof crushes can cause serious and fatal injuries, including disabling brain and spinal injuries.
Safe Roof Designs
Safe roof structure designs have been documented from as early as the 1930s. Vehicles with the safety features mentioned above would reduce the number of roof crush accidents. Despite the availability of safer designs and structures, manufacturers claim it is the force of the impact that leads to injuries and death, notwithstanding the fact that the relationship between rollover crashes and injuries from roof crush was observed and noted as early as 1932.
Safe roofs are equipped with strong roof pillars and full-length closed sections, windshield headers and side sections, internal baffle plates, strong tubular cross-members, and reinforcing gussets at the connections. Some use rigid foam within the tubular cross-members to help strengthen the structure. These different safety precautions can significantly minimize the fatal results of roof crush.
Roof Crush and Rollover
Roof crush injury risks are higher in vehicles with a greater propensity to roll over. Because they are taller and narrower, SUVs, or sports utility vehicles, are three times more likely to roll over in an accident than are other passenger cars. In 1973, the government passed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216, creating a standard roof strength test to measure the integrity of roof structure in motor vehicles. This test was to apply to motor vehicles weighing six thousand pounds or less. Many SUVs weigh more than this, and are therefore exempt from compulsory safety standards that may be crucial to preventing roof crush injury. In light of SUV roof crush injury risks, consumer advocacy groups have urged the federal government to modify standards so that they include any vehicle weighing ten thousand pounds or less.
Roof pillars appear strong to the average consumer, but most of them consist of just sheet metal that is hollow on the inside at the cross sections. When an accident occurs involving roof structures with a filled inner space, the outcome has been shown to be safer due to a lesser amount of roof crush.
Pillars filled with high-density foam can reduce the severity of a roof crush significantly, saving lives and reducing serious injuries. Overall, federal safety standards fail to provide roof strength requirements that adequately protect people from suffering roof crush injury in a rollover automobile accident. Despite federal standards, many vehicle roofs will easily crush a foot or more during a rollover accident. More stringent testing standards and minimum industry safety standards must be employed if the government hopes to adequately protect people from sustaining serious roof crush injury in automobile accidents.
If You’ve Been Injured in an SUV Accident
Though rollover accidents are regarded as highly survivable events, the integrity of a vehicle’s roof structure during impact is crucial. Windshield reinforcement is a critical component of vehicle design: when a windshield is destroyed in the course of an accident, the strength of the roof is instantly reduced by 33 percent. As a result, roof crush injuries are often extremely serious. Common roof crush injuries include neck fractures and other spinal injuries. Sometimes a brain injury may result from the roof crushing in on the vehicle occupant. These head and neck injuries can also cause paraplegia, quadriplegia, or other life-altering conditions.
If you have suffered injury due to a roof crush car crash, you may be eligible for monetary compensation due to faulty automobile design. Contact an experienced crashworthiness attorney as soon as possible. Your crashworthiness lawyer will help you assess your claim, file a law suit, and get the compensation you deserve.
LegalView.com is your source for everything legal. Visit us at legalview.com. Visitors to LegalView.com can browse resources to find a construction accident lawyer, a mesothelioma attorney, and more. You can also get help to find an auto accident lawyer at crash.legalview.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
What Are Some Of The Potential Problems With The New Technology In Automobiles (1)
Only licensed professionals, such as dealers, are allowed to access the code stored on your key, or to make a new key that will transport this information. All of this has lead to a large increase, according to the American Automobile Association, in lock outs and other problems related to misplaced keys.
Do You Know What One Of The Highest Selling Automobile Components Is? (2)
This is probably why Europe has one of the biggest tire companies there and why there is so much rubber coming from Europe. Now after many years have passed the demand for rubber tires is still increasing and showing no signs of slowing down.
Patches For That Custom Motorcycle Look (3)
Then they are distributed among the members. Some clubs use ceremony or hazing techniques while other clubs are a great deal more casual. While some clubs have uniforms, for other clubs, the motorcycle patches are the only way to denote membership.
How To Find The Right Online Car Auction (4)
This might bring you less profit than selling your car on your own but it will save you a lot of hassle. In fact once you sell them the car it is no longer your worry who or when will buy it.
A Look At Some Must Have Biker Gear If You Want To Ride A Motorcycle (5)
Do your homework and go for quality. After you have fitted yourself with the latest in motorcycle apparel, including a more than just decent pair of boots, the next thing to equip yourself with is a riding buddy.
How Interactive Car Clubs Can Help You Build Your Own Car More Efficiently (6)
So the good thing to do is get help from someone who has already done it or is doing the same thing as you. It will pay off in the end to be part of a car club because they will be able to show you and teach you things that you might not have even known about.
The Limo - From Workhorse To Luxury (7)
Upon his release from the hospital the father surprised his wife with a limo to take their precious package home. The utilitarian vehicle of the past has become a dazzling show piece.
Worry-Free Classic Car Shipping (8)
Take pictures so you have an unbiased record of the car's condition - Remove personal items: Many classic cars have aftermarket additions that can be removed for transport. Anything that can be easily removed should be so nothing gets lost or stolen.
Car Leasing: The Pros And The Options (9)
Shaun Parker has been at the forefront of the car hire and car leasing industry for several years. He has arranged finance for hundreds of satisfied customers. To find out more visit www.ambervehiclesolutions.co.uk
Moving On With Satellite Television In The Recreational Vehicle (10)
A satellite system for your recreational vehicle will provide a more enjoyable traveling experience for the whole family. Dror Klar is an advocate and writer about Satellite TV and Satellite Internet.
Did You Know That Improper Tire Pressure May Drastically Affect Your Gas Mileage? (11)
Tires are often neglected because people do not know that they affect their gas mileage. A good tire maintenance culture will not only make your rides safer, it will also leave a little more in your pocket.
What Does 2008 Hold For The Automotive Industry? (12)
Car sales and indeed sales of all types are also likely to increase via the internet in 2008 so car dealers (new and used) without an internet presence should really be looking at establishing themselves in this emerging marketplace.
How To Find The Best Deals On Prestige Contract Hire (13)
What is your estimated mileage? If you have a specific car in mind, the prestige contract hire firm you chose should be able to find a deal that suits your needs.
How To Buy Protective Motorcycle Clothing That Does More Than Just Look Good (14)
So in consideration of this you should definitely make sure that you have a good quality pair of riding boots along with a good pair of quality leather protective pants.
Classic Motor Show In Birmingham (15)
At the Classic Motor Show you will find the biggest collection of dealers, companies and traders with every product and service available from car parts to cheap classic car insurance.
How To Use The Internet To Help You Save On Fuel (16)
Triple A can also help you find the lowest prices on gas in your neighborhood. All you have to do is enter in the necessary information into the "Fuel Price Finder" and you will be given a list of all the stations in your area and the price of the gas.
OMVIC Warns Auto Buyers Tempted By U.S. Pricing (17)
The manufacturers warranty may be compromised or voided if the U.S. vehicle is imported into Canada. Again, every manufacturer differs regarding warranty coverage. In the event the warranty is compromised, the dollars saved during the initial purchase could easily be eroded by repairs required down the road.
How The Hybrid Battery System Works To Provide Needed Power (18)
One involves an electric motor, batteries, and the gasoline engine all being connected to the transmission. Both the electrical portion and the gasoline portion of the engine are able to run the car and push it so that it can move.
Motorcycle Insurance With Points (19)
Generally insurers categorise motoring convictions into four sections and a speeding endorsement would be seen as a minor conviction. Other such minor convictions can range from not ensuring good maintenance of your motorcycle - a CU30 endorsement would be incurred for using a vehicle with defective tyres, to gaining points for driving without wearing spectacles - a MS70 endorsement would be incurred for driving with uncorrected defective eyesight.
What Is It That Makes The Sports Car So Desirable? (20)
Keywords: cars, performance auto parts, fast cars, car reviews, car care, car wax, car care products Fans of sports cars are as zealous as Green Bay Packer football fans. You will find more car clubs and online forums dedicated to various segments of the sports car genre that any other part of the automotive industry.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Some Tips To Help You Find Quality BMW Parts And Accessories (1)
Still some people choose to purchase their parts directly from the dealer so that they know the parts are really BMW parts and not knock-offs. Nothing is worse than paying top dollar for bargain basement parts.
A Look At Some Of The Many Different Uses For Key Chains (2)
You can also find key chains that are of your favorite car for those who are into the car scene. You can get free key chains too. A couple places you may receive these would be when you buy a car from a dealership, or if a new restaurant, store or even bank is opening.
How To Decide Whether Or Not To Customize Your Car Stereo (3)
On newer automobile models, the stereo may also play mp3s and additional digital audo file types like WMA and AAC, whether on a CD or a storage device which can be connected to the head unit.
The Nuts And Bolts Of Auto Transport Insurance (4)
Second, any loose item might move around during transport and damage the interior; this kind of damage will also not be covered by insurance. Take a few pictures of the interior and exterior of the vehicle after giving it a good cleaning.
Who Would Have Ever Though That One Day You Would Be Plugging In Your Car (5)
If numerous car companies jump on the plug in hybrid bandwagon, the price of the batteries may decrease over time. A onetime incentive to consider regarding a plug in hybrid car is the promise of a Clean Fuel Vehicle Federal tax reduction.
Are You Ready For The 2006 911 Turbo? (6)
This 6th generation 911 is now available in German dealerships and just now beginning to appear in the United States at a cost of over 120k. There have been some modifications to the engine of the 911 Turbo resulting in 480 horsepower at 6000 rpm with a 3.6 liter engine.
How You Can Use The Internet To Enhance Your Sports Car Experience (7)
Even though the car is very fast, you may like to customize or add more performance to your ride to go faster. There is though another thing that sports car owners may love and enjoy to do.
A Few Tips For Buying A Used Car (8)
Read consumer reports and reviews on different models and compare fuel consumption as well as upkeep, maintenance and part replacement costs of various models. This will help you narrow down your choices and stay firm in the face of forceful car-dealers who will try to convince you to purchase a car that they want to sell and not necessarily one that you want to buy.
So You Have Decided On A Hybrid, But What Kind Of Hybrid? (9)
This particular article will give you some information as to factors you should look into when doing hybrid car comparisons. Car manufacturers have been steadily increasing their offerings as far as hybrid cars go so it can be confusing with so many different offerings on the market.
How To Buy A Quality Used Sports Car Without Getting Taken (10)
Do a careful walk around the car checking for dents, scratches and obvious overspray that indicates repainting that could mean the vehicle has been wrecked. Pay attention to rubber strips and molding as well as the inside of the fuel filler door area.
Some Of The Reasons Some Car Lovers Join A Collectors Car Club (11)
Every organization needs someone who knows everything or almost everything because if we didn't have those people we wouldn't even have car clubs today. A person who knows everything in the organization and about it will more then likely have more then one type of awesome car.
How You Can Help Save The Environment By Maintaining You Car Properly (12)
Vehicle owners are no exception, and in all actuality have more to consider than those without a vehicle. Controlling what goes into your vehicle and what comes out, and how much goes in and out, comes with the responsibility of owning a vehicle.
Tips To Help You Pay Less At The Pump (13)
This wastes gas, and causes the engine to lose power as well. Watch those gas caps. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles, according to the CCC, have gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing, and this causes 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize each year.
Why You May Want To Have Your Luxury Car Repaired By The Dealer (14)
If you want to drive your vehicle in confidence, seek out a mechanic. If you want to save money, do it yourself. In the end, the choice is up to you.
Why Are We In Love With Sports Cars? (15)
Initially, it seems as if much of the attraction is grounded in symbolism. Sports cars have long been portrayed as sources of freedom. Drivers are left unencumbered by the limitations of other automobiles are seen as having a uniquely free and flexible life on the open road.
Some Easy To Implement Ideas To Help You Conserve Gas (16)
Turn the nozzle after the stop occurs to add more gas (sometimes up to half a cup) to your car. Use a lower grade of gas. Does your car really need that pricey high octane gas?
ATV Crashes - The Eye Opening Statistics (17)
Physicians experience a high degree of difficulty to address grief stricken parents after such an accident has occurred. In the event of permanent damage or death many parents feel they are to blame.
Do You Think You Can Afford A 2005 Porsche Carrera GT (18)
Light materials like magnesium are employed for the huge wheels and the frames of the unique sports seats which results in not only a faster car but a safer one as well.
BMW "No Reverse" Transmission Problem (19)
The factory has released an updated part that so far appears to be a permanent fix for this problem. In our testing and in conjunction with several hundred successful repairs at our facilities, the new part seems to be metallurgically superior in several ways.
The Car Salesman's Favorite Targets (20)
Someone driving an older beat up car and dressed in maybe not the latest styles. Regardless of race, the salespeople love this kind of prospect because if they truly do have bad credit they are what they consider a "get me done".