If a vehicle rolls over, the roof of the car alone protects occupants from the crushing weight of the car. The metal roof should have a strong support system that prevents it from folding or crunching in the event of a rollover – acting like a shell to protect those inside from serious injuries should the vehicle turn over.
A poorly designed roof, or one with a manufacturing defect, might not perform as it should, resulting in severe or deadly occupant injuries.
If your roof collapsed and exacerbated your accident-related injuries, you might have a product liability lawsuit on your hands. In these scenarios, victims and their loves ones should contact us to discuss potential legal opportunities. We can help you go up against major vehicle manufacturers in Texas in pursuit of maximum compensation. Aaron A. Herbert and his team of experienced product liability attorneys can get to the bottom of your recent car accident case and resultant injuries.
Why Do Roof Collapses Happen?
Rollovers are generally serious accidents, but they do not have to be fatal. The structural integrity of the roof can go a long way toward protecting a driver and his/her passengers. If roof pillars collapse during a rollover accident, it can result in incapacitating and fatal injuries. Roof pillars should not collapse unless the vehicle has a design or manufacturing defect that impacted the roof’s performance. Safe roof systems adhere to federal standards, with pillars, roof cages, and outer shells that don’t buckle or compress in crash scenarios.
Vehicle manufacturers must adhere to strict federal and state laws when designing, manufacturing, and distributing vehicles and auto parts. These standards include running thorough tests to ensure all vehicle components perform as they should according to high industry standards. Mechanical engineers must design roof structures, systems, and support columns to withstand a force of at least one and half times the weight of the vehicle (for vehicles under 6,000 pounds). If the roof crushes more than five inches downward in a rollover, it fails the test and needs reworking.
Unfortunately, not all vehicle manufacturers adhere to federal safety standards. They might ignore the rules or cut corners to save money, resulting in unsafe vehicles. In other situations, manufacturers might do everything correctly yet still create a vehicle that suffers from roof collapse in an accident. In most cases, injured crash victims do not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent to qualify for compensation. Proving the roof had a defect and that this defect caused the injury is enough.
What to Do After a Roof Collapse Accident
Roof crushes in rollover accidents can cause debilitating injuries. If the roof supports collapse, the metal can crunch inward and injure or kill occupants inside. Common injuries in roof collapse incidents include crushed and broken bones, severe head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries that can result in paralysis, traumatic amputations, and wrongful death.
If your family was in a rollover where the roof collapsed, don’t suffer in silence. Retain our experienced attorneys to have your voice heard in the Dallas civil court system.
Our lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies and other parties for fair settlements after catastrophic car accidents. If a defective roof design or manufacturer error contributed to your injuries, we can go up against the manufacturing company responsible and demand retribution. We can help you receive payment for your accident-related medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages.
It all starts with a free case evaluation at our Dallas location, where we’ll listen to your story, assess the merits of your claim, and give you an estimated value we believe your case could be worth. Call (214) 200-4878 to talk to an attorney today.