SUV Rollover Accidents: California Product Liability Issues

SUV rollover accidents are one of the most deadly type of motor vehicle accidents, and are responsible for thousands of fatalities and catastrophic injuries each year. Because of a narrow wheel track and a higher center of gravity, SUVs have a naturally higher propensity to overturn than passenger cars and even pickup trucks (which are the second most rollover prone class of vehicle).

Although many SUVs are marketed as “sport” vehicles to be used in off-road conditions, most SUVs are not equipped with safety features that reduce the higher rollover risk. Furthermore, many SUVs are unable to support their own curb weight when they roll over, leading to very serious injury or crushing death to occupants. Overturned vehicles also have an increased likelihood of catching fire or exploding due. Victims of rollovers caused by design defects may be entitled to compensation from the vehicle’s manufacturer.

Rollover Accident Injuries and Fatalities

The majority of rollover accidents are solo vehicle events. Although rollover accidents are generally considered a rare occurrence, they surprisingly represent about 1/3 of motor vehicle accident fatalities. In 2002, 61% of all fatality accidents in SUVs involved a vehicle rollover. It is important to note that wearing a seatbelt can reduce fatality risk and injury severity. In 2001, 78% of single vehicle rollover fatality victims were not wearing a seatbelt. Because they were not wearing a seat belt, many of these occupants were either completely or partially ejected from the vehicle during the crash.  Head injuries, brain injuries, neck injuries and spinal cord injuries are all common SUV rollover injuries. Victims of rollover accidents and their families may be entitled to compensation for their injuries or a family member’s wrongful death.

Ford Explorer Rollover Accident Lawsuits and Settlements

An unusually high amount of rollover accidents involve the Ford Explorer. In 2004, a jury awarded a San Diego, CA woman and her husband $369 million for injuries sustained in a 2002 rollover accident in a Ford Explorer. The woman offered to take $100 million off of her compensation if Ford would recall their Ford Explorer SUVs, but Ford refused, insisting the vehicles were not defective. Despite this, Ford Motor Company has paid out hundreds of millions to victims seriously injured or killed in Ford Explorer SUV rollover accidents. In 2006, Ford was ordered to pay $29 million to a woman partially paralyzed after the tire on her Explorer blew out and her vehicle rolled over. Many more cases that have not gone to trial have been settled out of court.

SUV Rollover Accident Litigation

An experienced product liability attorney can be a powerful advocate in assisting accident victims and their families recover the compensation they are legally entitled to.  An attorney will typically consult with numerous experts and engineers to determine the exact mechanism that caused a vehicle to overturn. If you or someone you love has sustained serious injury in a SUV rollover accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible for a consultation of your legal rights.