SUVs and Rollovers

    /24-7PressRelease/ - April 13, 2008 - Sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, have the highest fatality rate for vehicle rollover accidents. SUV rollovers are estimated to occur at three times the rate of the standard passenger car. Statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in recent years approximately 11,000 people died in rollover accidents, with 61% of the fatalities resulting from SUV rollovers. Despite these statistics, one in four vehicles sold in the United States today is an SUV.

While SUV rollover accidents can be caused by the negligent and reckless driving of others, safety advocates contend that these accidents can be greatly avoided or reduced if the vehicles were designed to be safer and less prone to rolling over. SUV rollovers are especially dangerous because they often result in head injuries. Head trauma is the most frequent type of fatal injury in SUV rollover accidents.
By understanding the risks involved in driving an SUV, you can help prevent SUV rollovers. Factors leading to SUV rollovers include:
• A high center of gravity. SUVs have a higher center of gravity than other passenger vehicles making them top-heavy and more prone to roll when taking turns at high speeds, when engaging in corrective action, or when the tires "trip" or catch on curbs, soft shoulders or ditches on the side of the road.
• Added weight. The added weight of an SUV can cause more damage and injury when accidents do occur.
• Lack of roll bar protection. While SUVs were designed for off-roading purposes, the manufacturers realized the potential for family use and adapted them to that purpose without including a roll bar or roll protection suited for off-road vehicles.
• Lack of adequate crash protection. Weak roofs and poor crash protection are known to make SUV rollover accidents more deadly.

As a result of these risks, SUV rollover lawsuits have become increasingly common. The Ford-Firestone tire recall litigation in 2000 brought national attention to the problem. Since then, the floodgates have opened and other SUV manufacturers have faced personal injury and product liability actions over injuries and deaths resulting from SUV rollover accidents. In most of these cases, litigants claim faulty design of the vehicles and negligence in the manufacture of the vehicles led to the rollovers. Many lawsuits have been class action lawsuits and have resulted in recalls and large awards of damages to injured parties.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured as a result of an SUV rollover accident, you need to the assistance of an experienced SUV rollover accident attorney. Visit the website of Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC for more information.

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