When shopping for the perfect vehicle, safety should be at the top of your priority list. The car you and your family members use should comply with accepted safety standards in the automotive industry. It should also have a high safety rating in its class. If you have narrowed down your options to a sedan versus a sport utility vehicle (SUV), be aware of one main factor separating them: safety.
SUVs and the Risk of Rollovers
An SUV can put your family more at risk than a sedan. The inherent design of an SUV gives it a higher center of gravity. SUVs are taller and narrower than sedans or economy cars, making them less stable on their frames. This makes SUVs more prone to rollover accidents. A rollover is an extremely dangerous type of crash that has a higher fatality rate than other types of car accidents. The average rollover accident can cause several life-threatening injuries.
- Bone fractures and compound fractures
- Crush injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic amputations
- Internal organ injuries
- Fatal injuries
When an SUV rolls over, the gravitational forces can eject the occupants out of the vehicle if they are not wearing seat belts. With seat belts on, the crash can jerk the occupants around and cause multiple impact injuries. If the impact between the top of the SUV and the ground crushes the roof inward, it could trap passengers inside or cause catastrophic injuries. The mechanics of a rollover accident make it one of the deadliest types of crashes. Choosing an SUV over a sedan means increasing your risks of getting into a serious accident.
Can a Rollover Accident Lead to a Product Liability Claim?
Although the size, shape, and design of sport utility vehicles will always make them inherently more dangerous than sedans, negligent vehicle manufacturers can further increase the risk of a wreck. Failing to design a reasonably safe vehicle or selling a vehicle with known risks without warning consumers are examples of dangerous mistakes manufacturers can make. If an SUV contains a defect in its design, manufacturing or marketing that makes it unreasonably prone to rollovers, injured consumers may be able to bring claims against the automaker.
If an SUV rollover accident gave you a catastrophic injury or took a loved one’s life, you may have grounds to file a product liability claim in Texas. A product liability lawsuit claims the manufacturing company produced a defective product and that this product caused someone’s injury or wrongful death. Obtaining compensation during an SUV rollover claim against a manufacturing company requires proof that the vehicle contained a defect in its design or production that caused it to go sideways. If your lawyer cannot build a case against the SUV manufacturer for an inherently dangerous vehicle, it may still be possible to bring a car accident claim against the other driver involved.
What to Do After a Rollover Accident in Texas
If you were driving an SUV in San Antonio that rolled over, either in a single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accident, you may be eligible for compensation from one or more parties. After your accident, collect potential evidence of fault and negligence by taking photographs of the crash scene with your smartphone. Take as many pictures as possible. Call the police if your accident caused serious property damages or personal injuries. This is the case for most rollover collisions.
Go to a doctor for injury treatment without delay. Keep copies of documents such as your medical records and police reports. Then, contact an attorney about a potential product liability lawsuit. An attorney can investigate whether the same type of SUV was previously involved in similar accidents. If so, a San Antonio car accident lawyer may be able to build a product liability case against the vehicle’s manufacturer on your behalf. A successful suit could repay you for your property losses, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages after an SUV rollover accident.