New York SUV Rollovers

Suffering from an SUV accident is not uncommon. Despite rising gas prices, SUV vehicles are more popular than ever. It is estimated that one in every four vehicles sold in the U.S. is a sports utility vehicle. Fatalities from a rollover in an SUV accident are higher that an auto accident involving a passenger vehicle. An estimated 10,000 people are killed, and 30,000 are injured each year as a result of SUV accidents. These accidents can be the result of impact with another vehicle or solo in nature. Often when it is a single vehicle accident, it is because the vehicle ran off the road and make contact with a ditch or soft shoulder. A rollover SUV accident can cause serious injuries including head trauma, spinal injury, paralysis, burns and even quadriplegia. If you have suffered from a SUV accident, contact a New York SUV accident lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates for assistance.

The high rollover rate is due to the way the SUVs are designed. They often have high centers of gravity, more blind spots, narrow wheel bases and are substantially heavier than a standard passenger car. Despite this, according to the Federal Consumer Protection Safety Act, 40% of Americans believe that SUVs are safer that regular vehicles. Rollovers occurred in about 37% of all SUV crashes compared to 15% of passenger car crashes.

Many consumers purchase a sport utility vehicle because they are under the impression that they are safer. However thousands of people are killed every year in an SUV accident because of weak roofs that collapse in a rollover accident. The structural pillars can collapse, injuring or at times even killing the occupants. Even more concerning, few vehicles actually meet National Highway Traffic and Safety Standards. When an SUV accident occurs, because few are fit with appropriate roll bars, the roof takes the brunt of the force. The injuries sustained in these types of accidents are usually serious if not fatal, including:

• Brain injury
• Spinal injury
• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Wrongful death

Approximately 1/3 of all rollover accidents involve head injuries. In an accident, the severity of the head injury will be influenced by several factors. Not wearing a seat belt can greatly increase the likelihood of a serious head injury for instance. Also, the amount of head room available in the vehicle, and roof strength can be a factor.

An SUV accident can occur from poor weather conditions, speeding, or faulty pavement. When a SUV runs off the road, the tendency is to over correct, which can cause fishtailing and loss of control, ultimately leading to a rollover accident.

Car companies who design and manufacture these vehicles have a duty to make them safe. If they design and manufacture a vehicle and people are injured or killed as a result of a design or manufacturing defect, they should be held responsible for the victim’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income. If you have been in an SUV accident it is important to speak with our legal team who will be able to guide you through the process of pursuing damage claims against a car manufacturer and other negligent parties.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an SUV accident, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Our team can give you legal guidance as well as a free consultation. Whether you have been in an auto accident or motorcycle accident, we can help you receive just compensation for your injuries. We have locations in New York City including offices in: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. On Long Island we have offices in Nassau County as well as Suffolk County. Call us today for an appointment and to receive your free consultation at 800.696.9529.