Chicago SUV Rollover Attorneys
Sport utility vehicles or SUVs have soared in popularity over the last 25 years or so. Their size and utility made them popular especially with American families. But their safety has been questioned time and again over the years. As early as in 2001, the National Center for Statistics and Analysis examined the characteristics of SUVs and their propensity to roll over. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2008, 58 percent of SUV occupants who were killed in crashes were in vehicles rolled over. In comparison, 47 percent of deaths in pickups and 25 percent of deaths in cars were in rollover crashes.
Why do SUV Rollovers Occur?
The problem with most SUVs is their defective design. SUVs have a high center of gravity because they are top-heavy and have a narrower track width, which makes them prone to tipping over. Additional passengers and cargo can increase the center of gravity even more. A majority of SUV rollovers occur when drivers try to take evasive action on the road. A driver could be trying to avoid debris on the roadway, an animal or another vehicle. Defectively designed SUVs simply have the tendency to overturn easily. When tire blowouts or tread separations occur, SUVs are at risk of rolling over as well. That's exactly what happened with defective Firestone tires on Ford Explorer SUVs in the late 1990s, which led to thousands of injuries and fatalities.
SUV Rollover Injuries
Rollover accidents can be extremely intense and violent. Most rollover crashes result in catastrophic injuries. Some of the common types of injuries sustained in SUV rollover crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back or neck injuries
- Concussions or closed head injuries
- Broken bones
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Paralysis
Roof Crush
The federal roof strength standard for all vehicles is extremely inadequate. Roof strength matters in SUVs because they have the tendency to roll over more than other passenger vehicles. Testing by the IIHS in 2008 showed that strong roofs reduce the risk of fatal or catastrophic injuries in rollover crashes. On the other hand, a flimsy roof would cave in crushing its occupants, causing serious head and spinal injuries.
Liability Issues
If you have been injured as a result of defective design or a defective SUV, you have legal rights. Injured victims can file an auto products liability claim against the manufacturer of the SUV seeking compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, cost of long-term care, lost future income, loss of earning capacity and other related damages. Families that lose loved ones in SUV rollover accidents can file an Chicago wrongful death lawsuit against the auto maker seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.
The Bradley Law Firm has successfully represented numerous victims of SUV rollover accidents. We have the resources and access to nationally renowned experts who specialize in accident reconstruction and auto product liability issues pertaining to SUVs. If you have been injured in an SUV rollover crash, call our experienced Chicago traffic accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
SUV Accident Verdicts & Settlements:
$300,000 Verdict - Baldwin v. Wheeler & State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
View More Personal Injury Verdicts and Settlements.