Occupant ejection accidents can be deadly. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), in fatal crashes in 2017 roughly 83 percent of occupants who were completely ejected from a passenger vehicle in a crash died.
If you were injured in a passenger ejection crash, don’t hesitate to contact William Mattar law offices. Our experienced accident attorneys can look closely at your case and fight to ensure those responsible are held accountable. We know how devastating a serious injury can be and will work hard to ensure you receive the best outcome possible. Call our offices at (844) 444-4444 today.
How Can an Occupant Be Ejected From a Vehicle?
Occupants can be ejected from a vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or obstacle in the road. In a crash, the force of the impact can cause a driver or passenger to be thrown from the car. Several factors increase the risk of an occupant being ejected, including failure to wear a seat belt.
Complete ejection occurs when an occupant exits the vehicle entirely, making contact with the ground or other objects in the vicinity. A partial ejection can occur when an occupant is ejected, but a part of his or her body remains stuck inside the vehicle. Both types of passenger ejection can be life-threatening and result in severe injury.
Causes of Occupant Ejection Accidents
Several factors can increase the risk of an occupant ejection accident:
- Failing to wear a seat belt: Occupants who fail to wear a seat belt can be ejected through the vehicle’s windows or windshield during a crash.
- Speed: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that between 2003 and 2007 that the percentage of occupants who were ejected almost doubled when the speed limit was 60 miles per hour or higher..
- Rollover crashes: Rollovers, where a vehicle tips or rolls over on its side or roof, can result in occupant ejections. These types of accidents can be particularly dangerous.
- Vehicle type: The type of vehicle—whether an SUV, pickup truck, or passenger car—also plays a role in whether a passenger occupant is likely to be ejected from the vehicle. Research by the NHTSA found that 49.2 percent of unrestrained occupants in SUVs were ejected, versus 38.4 and 29 percent for pickup and passenger car occupants, respectively.
Compensation for a Passenger Ejection Accident
Passenger ejection accidents can result in neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, paralysis, or even death. Serious injuries such as these can require long-term care and rehabilitation that leaves accident victims with mounting medical expenses, and lost wages due to missed time from work.
If you have suffered a serious injury after being ejected from a vehicle due to the negligence of another, a personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation and assist you in achieving a financial recovery. To do so, you will likely need to file a claim against the at-fault party. A vehicle defect such as a failed airbag, inadequate windows or car doors, or roof crush caused by insufficient roof strength can also contribute to an occupant ejection crash. In this case, you may have a claim against the company responsible for the defect.
In the event that a loved one was killed in a passenger ejection accident due to a vehicle defect, or another motorist’s negligence, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family members or dependents of the deceased for their loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and more.
Contact an Experienced Car Crash Attorney Today
Don’t suffer the experience of a car accident injury on your own. Let a car accident attorney at William Mattar law offices help ease the burden of filing a claim and help you seek compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney—just complete our online form or call (844) 444-4444 today.