When is a Vehicle Defective in Rollover Crashes?
Under product liability law, a vehicle is defective when it is unreasonably dangerous for its intended purpose. In rollover accidents, there are three main defects we are looking for. First, we want to know if the roof of the vehicle was strong enough to withstand the force of the rollover crash. Second, we want to know if the seatbelts properly restrained the occupants. Third, we want to know if the airbags and other safety devices provided adequate occupant protection. If any of these three systems fail during a rollover accident, the likelihood of injury significantly increases, and occupants will suffer injuries they should not have suffered.
Why Proving a Rollover Vehicle Defect Requires Detailed Investigation
Proving a vehicle is defective and failed to provide adequate protection in a rollover crash is a difficult area of the law because you have to show that the defect existed and that had the defect not existed the injury would not have been suffered. For instance, we recently investigated a case where a young man was involved in a serious rollover accident. During the rollover crash, the roof was crushed so badly that there was little chance of survival. However, the man was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. While he suffered serious injuries, there was nothing we could do because the injuries he suffered were caused by hitting the ground after being thrown, not by the roof crushing during the rollover.
Most personal injury law firms do not have the skill, knowledge, and resources to effectively handle rollover accident cases. At The Ammons Law Firm, our rollover accident attorneys have handled roof crush, defective seatbelts, and fault airbags claims for over two decades and have successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients injured and killed in rollover crashes. This is what we do, and the manufacturers know our firm.
If you or a family member were injured in a rollover accident, it is important to have your accident investigated by a trained rollover accident attorney who can determine whether the vehicle was designed to provide adequate protection in a rollover crash. If the vehicle proves defective, you can seek compensation for your harm by bringing a personal injury lawsuit against the auto manufacturer.
Common Injuries Caused by Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents often result in severe trauma to vehicle occupants and are known as one of the most deadly and dangerous accidents in the world. During a rollover accident, there are two primary ways in which people are injured:
- Roof crush injuries: These occur when the vehicle’s roof collapses during the roll.
- Ejection injuries: These happen when occupants are thrown from the vehicle, often due to seat belt failures.
As you can imagine, being crushed by the weight of a vehicle and being thrown from a vehicle at high speeds, are both extremely dangerous and often deadly
Victims often suffer catastrophic and life-threatening injuries, such as:
These injuries are often made worse when defective roofs collapse, seat belts fail during rollover movement, or occupants are partially ejected because the restraint system did not function properly. The impact is often immense, taking a toll on the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of victims. At The Ammons Law Firm, we understand the difficulties you face. Our Houston rollover accident lawyers are committed to fighting for maximum compensation.
How We Evaluate Rollover Accidents for Potential Vehicle Defects
Our investigation process typically includes the following steps:
Vehicle Examination
When possible, our team works with engineering experts to examine the vehicle involved in the rollover. This may include measurements of roof deformation and assessment of structural components. Preservation of the vehicle is important for any potential product liability claim.
Technical Analysis
Our retained experts may evaluate the vehicle’s design against applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, including FMVSS 216 (roof crush resistance). They analyze factors such as the vehicle’s static stability factor (SSF), which measures rollover propensity, and roof strength-to-weight ratio. This technical review helps determine whether the vehicle’s design may have contributed to the injuries sustained.
Injury Causation Analysis
Biomechanical experts may evaluate the relationship between roof crush measurements and the occupant’s injuries. This analysis helps establish whether a stronger roof structure could have prevented or reduced the severity of the injuries.
Data Review
Where available, Event Data Recorders (EDRs) can provide information about the vehicle’s speed, steering, and braking in the moments before the rollover. This data may help distinguish between driver actions and potential vehicle defects.
Comparative Analysis
Experts may compare the subject vehicle’s design to similar vehicles and industry standards to evaluate whether alternative, safer designs were feasible at the time of manufacture.
Document Discovery
In litigation, we seek internal manufacturer documents, prior complaints to NHTSA, and any recall history related to the vehicle model.
Our rollover lawyers are prepared to fight for you. Call us at (281) 801-5617 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.
Real Examples of How Vehicle Defects Caused Rollover Injuries
Real Case Example: Roof Collapse in Toyota 4Runner Rollover
Our firm represented the family of a driver who was killed in a rollover involving a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. The driver was wearing a seatbelt, and the restraint system functioned as designed. Our investigation focused on the roof structure. During the crash, the roof collapsed inward and crushed the occupant space, causing fatal injuries.
Real Case Example: Roof Failure in Nissan Murano Rollover
We represented a passenger who suffered permanent paralysis after a Nissan Murano rolled over. During the crash sequence, the roof structure deformed and failed to maintain survival space. What should have been a survivable crash instead left the passenger permanently paralyzed.
Real Case Example: Combined Failures in Chevrolet Trailblazer Rollover
In a case involving a Chevrolet Trailblazer, our investigation addressed two separate failures. The vehicle lacked an electronic stability control system that could have helped prevent the rollover. Once the vehicle rolled, the roof structure failed during the crash. One failure contributed to the crash. The other made the injuries worse.
Real Case Example: Roof Deformation and Restraint Failure in Ford F-250
We secured compensation from Ford on behalf of a Texas man who was paralyzed in a Ford F-250 rollover. Our investigation showed that during the crash, the roof deformed and the restraint system failed to keep him properly positioned. The combination of those failures led to catastrophic injury.
Real Case Example: Seatback Collapse Leading to Fatal Ejection
Our firm represented the family of a driver in a case involving a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The crash began as a rear-end collision. During impact, the seatback collapsed, throwing occupants out of position before the vehicle rolled. One person was fatally ejected. Another suffered catastrophic injuries, including partial arm amputation. The evidence showed the seatback failed to provide the protection the vehicle was expected to deliver.
Real Case Example: Tire Failure Triggering Ford Explorer Rollover
We handled a case involving a Ford Explorer rollover caused by a Bridgestone tire failure. Our investigation showed the tread separated at highway speed, leaving the driver with no meaningful ability to control the vehicle. The rollover that followed resulted in a fatality.
Real Case Example: Tire Tread Separation in Dodge Durango Rollover
In another case, a Cooper tire failed on a Dodge Durango, triggering a rollover that left a passenger permanently paralyzed. The failure began in the tire, not with any driver action.
Real Case Example: Defective Tire in Ford Expedition Rollover
We represented a driver who was paralyzed from the chest down after a Haida tire failed on a Ford Expedition. The tread separation caused a sudden loss of control and led directly to the rollover.
Real Case Example: Wanli Tire Failure in Ford Truck Rollover
Our firm handled a case involving a Wanli tire failure on a Ford truck. Our investigation showed the tread separated, the vehicle became unstable, and the rollover resulted in permanent paralysis.
Real Case Example: Goodyear Tire Failure on Interstate Rollover
In a case involving a Ford F-350 traveling on Interstate 10 in Louisiana, a Goodyear tire failure triggered a rollover that resulted in a fatality. The evidence showed the tire failure set the crash in motion.
If you believe your rollover involved a vehicle defect, contact us for a free case evaluation. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Were You Injured in a Rollover Crash?
Our rollover accident attorneys are committed to holding negligent manufacturers accountable and seeking fair compensation for injured victims and their loved ones. Since 2004, our firm has secured more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of victims of negligence. Much of our practice focuses on auto defect litigation, including cases involving roof crush rollover accidents.
Call our roof crush and rollover accident lawyers today at (281) 801-5617. We serve clients across the United States.



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