Roof crush typically occurs in rollover accidents where a vehicle flipped over. When a roof collapses, it can crush the vehicle occupants or create zones where occupants can be ejected through a window or windshield. Due to the nature of these accidents, roof crush can be catastrophic to drivers and passengers, resulting in serious injury or death.
Roof crush can be the result of a design or construction defect. So, if a roof fails during a collision, a vehicle manufacturer could potentially be held responsible for any resulting damages. If you were involved in a rollover accident and your vehicle’s roof collapsed, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact William Mattar law offices today to speak to an experienced accident attorney who can evaluate your case. Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—just dial 844-noswap444-4444.
What Causes Roof Crush?
Automakers have a responsibility to make sure cars meet roof crush standards and are safe for consumers. The roof of a vehicle typically has a structure that includes rails, heads, and support pillars. When a roof’s structural design fails in a rollover, it can reduce the amount of “survival space” for the vehicle occupants.
There are several reasons a roof may fail, indicating that it is defective, including a manufacturing or design flaw. However, one of the largest causes of roof crush accidents is a lack of proper testing.
Roof Resistance Testing
Roof resistance testing is an essential step in ensuring that a vehicle make/model’s roof is strong enough to withstand a rollover impact. Roof strength tests establish whether a roof is effective in maintaining a survival space for occupants in the event of an accident. In general, a stronger roof will crush less and reduce the risk that the roof will injure a driver or passenger.
A roof strength test measures the “strength-to-weight ratio” of a vehicle and assigns a rating. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a “good” rating involves a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. This means that the roof must be able to withstand a force of at least four times the car’s weight.
Suppose a vehicle manufacturer fails to adequately test one of their vehicles for roof strength to ensure it is safe. In that case, they could be held liable for any injuries resulting from a roof crush accident.
Roof Crush Accident Injuries
During a roof crush accident, the roof can press down on a victim’s head and upper body. For this reason, rollover accidents involving roof crush often result in severe neck, back, and brain injuries. Some common types of roof crush injuries include:
- Broken or sprained neck;
- Dislocated shoulders;
- Closed brain injuries;
- Penetrating brain injuries;
- Skull fractures;
- Spinal injuries;
- Back injuries (i.e. herniated discs); and
- Paralysis.
Injuries sustained in a rollover crash can leave a victim with a life-long disability or limitation requiring long-term care. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been seriously injured in a roof crush accident.
Filing a Claim After a Roof Crush
In roof crush accident cases, the auto manufacturer can be considered liable. If you were seriously injured due to a collapsing roof, your claim would likely be against the auto manufacturer who designed, constructed, or installed the roof.
Unfortunately, due to their severity, roof crush accidents are frequently fatal. If a loved one was killed in a roof crush accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death case is two years from the date of the deceased’s death. Other time deadlines could be involved. An experienced product liability attorney can investigate your case to determine if the car’s roof was defective and if you are eligible for compensation.
Contact a Defective Auto Parts Attorney Today
If you’ve been seriously injured in a roof crush accident, you may have grounds for a product liability claim. The defective auto parts attorneys at William Mattar can investigate your car crash and help determine who may be liable for your injuries. Contact William Mattar law offices today to learn more about your legal options for pursuing compensation. Just call 844-noswap444-4444, or complete our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.