SUV Rollover Accident Lawyer in New York City

Vehicles with a High Center of Gravity are more prone to Rollover

During a rollover accident, a vehicle turns over on its side or roof. This usually happens when the vehicle is turning too sharply while moving too fast or when struck from the side. While all cars are capable of rolling over, vehicles with a high center of gravity and narrow tire track are more likely to roll over, particularly at high speeds and on wet or icy roads. SUV’s high center of gravity makes them more likely to roll over during quick maneuvers to avoid an accident at highway speeds. Insurance industry statistics show that in all but the heaviest SUV’s, occupants have higher death rates in single-vehicle accidents. The principal factor is vehicle rollover.

Design Issues in Sport Utility Vehicle Roll over Accidents

The stability of a vehicle is influenced by many factors, including the height of a car, the width between the tires, how the suspension system is designed, and even the weight of the sunroof. By their very nature, SUVs are considered more unstable and rollover prone than cars and other passenger vehicles. These sport utility vehicles have a high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase. Despite common belief that added weight will increase stability, the more weight in a vehicle, the higher likelihood of a rollover accident occurring.

Causes of SUV Rollover Accidents

Not all SUV rollover accidents can be attributed to faulty design. Aggressive driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol can all lead to rollover accidents. However, many rollover accidents occur because of faulty design that makes a vehicle more likely to overturn. To represent a client in a SUV rollover case, it is necessary to work with safety experts, accident reconstructionists and design engineers to understand the cause of an accident, and ultimately who is responsible for a client’s injuries or the wrongful death of a family member.

Rollover Accidents and Roof Crush Injuries

One problem with SUVs like the popular Ford Explorer is that when the vehicle rolls over, the roof of the car is not strong enough to sustain the weight of the vehicle, and collapses. Many serious spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck fractures and deaths can be attributed to roof failure, roof crush, or roof pillar collapse. When investigating your SUV rollover case, the product liability trial lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C., will consult with expert witnesses and use its vast resources to demonstrate design flaws in the vehicle (such as the insufficient strength of a roof and lack of a roll bar) and how these flaws contributed to catastrophic injuries or death.

Fatalities and Rollover Accidents

An estimated 10,000 people are killed and 30,000 people are injured each year in SUV rollover accidents. After a head-on collision, an SUV rollover accident is the most common type of fatal crash. More than half of all solo vehicle crash fatalities involve a vehicle rollover. Rollovers can be either solo vehicle accidents or a rollover can be caused by a collision with another vehicle. Other common types of rollover accidents occur when a driver runs off the road and makes contact with a ditch, soft shoulder or other “tripping” mechanism which starts the rollover.

Legal Help for Victims in SUV Rollover Accidents in New York City

If you or a family member or friend has been injured due to a SUV rollover accident contact a product liability attorney at Finz & Finz, P.C., now toll free at (855) TOP-FIRM to speak with a lawyer experienced in SUV rollover litigation or simply fill out the Free SUV Rollover Accident Case Evaluation form.