Most people do not expect to be involved in a Mission Viejo car crash, let alone a rollover accident. However, with the large number of sport utility vehicles (SUV) on the roads in Orange County, rollover crashes occur more frequently than expected.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), SUVs are about 75% more likely to be involved in rollover accidents. Because SUVs have a narrower track width and a higher center of gravity than passenger cars, they are more susceptible to rollover accidents in Southern California and throughout the nation.
When an SUV or other automobile flips or rolls during an accident, the roof of the vehicle becomes extremely important to the occupants’ safety. Not many people give much thought to the roofs of their cars; however, it is an extremely important safety aspect that can literally mean the difference between life and death when a rollover crash occurs.
Aren’t all roofs the same?
The strength of your car roof is different from that of the vehicle on the road next to you. Some cars are not built with the necessary support to withstand the force of a crash. If a vehicle flips over and comes to a rest on its roof, it will not cave in or fail if it was designed and built correctly.
The roof has to support the entire weight of the car. If it fails and the roof caves in, serious injuries or fatalities can result. Occupants can even get trapped in their cars if the roof collapses inward on the driver and passengers.
Can the manufacturer be held responsible?
When a roof crush accident in Mission Viejo occurs, an automobile manufacturer could be held liable if there was a defect in the development or design of the vehicle. If the roof snapped at the pillars, caved in and collapsed on occupants, or crushed or trapped occupants inside, it may be defective. An inspection would need to be conducted to determine if you have a case against the manufacturer for your damages, injuries, or losses sustained as a result of the crash.
If you or someone you love was injured or died as a result of a roof crush after a rollover crash in Orange County, it is critical that you call an experienced Mission Viejo car crash attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a skilled Orange County car crash attorney at the Law Offices of John P. Burns today at (877) 320-1338 for a free legal consultation.
If you were injured in a Mission Viejo car crash, please order a FREE copy of our book, 9 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Vehicle Accident Case, available from the Law Office of John Burns.