A rollover accident is a traumatic event that has the potential to cause severe injuries and loss of life. For this reason, cars are supposed to be designed in a way that will protect you if your vehicle ever turns onto its roof. When a car’s roof begins to buckle, it can fail to protect occupants and make their injuries worse.
An Automaker May Be Liable for a Roof Crush Injury
In addition to filing a claim against the at-fault driver, you may have a claim against the manufacturer or designer of your vehicle. Automakers have a duty to ensure that their vehicles’ roofs have the ability to handle the weight of the car if flipped upside down (called "roof-crush resistance”). Since rollover accidents can cause cars to rest on their roofs for long periods of time, a high roof-crush resistance is vital to passenger safety.
If an automaker cut corners, a roof-crush incident could result in serious injury to a victim’s:
- Neck. The stress of the roof pressing down on a victim’s head can result in a broken neck, dislocated shoulders, or a severe sprain from holding the neck at a painful angle.
- Brain. While the repeated rolling of the vehicle can result in a closed head injury, the collapse of the roof may cause debris to enter the victim’s skull (penetrating head injury), an open fracture, or other life-threatening traumatic brain injuries.
- Back. Unfortunately, many rollover accidents will result in spinal cord injuries that cause partial paralysis or total inability to move the arms and legs. Victims may also suffer painful herniated discs or back injuries that cause lifelong limitations.
If you've been injured in a rollover accident where the roof didn't protect you, our attorneys can investigate the details of the case to determine who may be held responsible. Our lawyers provide injury clients with a free initial consultation and represent their interests on a contingent fee basis, meaning we do not collect anything unless we secure a recovery for you. To learn more about your claim, download a free copy of our book, The 10 Worst Mistakes You Can Make With Your Tennessee Injury Case.
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