VEHICLE ROOF COLLAPSE ATTORNEYS
REPRESENTING VICTIMS INJURED BY VEHICLE ROOF COLLAPSES
The structural design and assembly of a vehicle can be a major factor in whether occupants are injured during a crash. Not all vehicles are created equal, and some are demonstrably more “crashworthy” than others. While vehicles are required to abide by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), meeting those criteria does not in and of itself protect the manufacturer from liability. Some automobile manufacturers cut corners that inevitably compromise the safety of their vehicles.
No vehicle is fully crash-proof, but its structure should work to protect you during a collision. If your vehicle’s roof collapsed or your automobile otherwise failed to prevent catastrophic injuries, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer and any other liable parties. Our team at The Potts Law Firm is committed to helping accident victims enforce their rights and get the compensation they deserve. Our vehicle roof collapse lawyers understand what is at stake and can provide the dedicated, attentive representation you need to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.
If you suspect your vehicle did not meet basic standards of crashworthiness, schedule a free initial consultation by calling (888) 420-1299 or contacting us online. Our firm offers same-day appointments and provides services in English and Spanish.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND DANGERS OF AUTO ROOF FAILURES?
Roof collapses are more frequent in larger vehicles, such as trucks, minivans, and SUVs. They tend to occur when a vehicle “rolls over,” or flips. Rollovers usually happen when these vehicles “trip” by hitting a hazard, such as a guardrail, median, or piece of debris on the road. The impact throws off the vehicle’s momentum and causes it to roll over, potentially triggering a roof collapse if the vehicle’s design or construction is defective.
In a rollover, a vehicle’s roof can fail because of:
WHAT IS A CRUMPLE ZONE?
Automobiles with proper safety features require front and rear sections that absorb collision forces and “crumple” when impacted. These areas are known as the “crumple zone,” also sometimes called the “crash zone.” When working as intended, your vehicle’s crumple zone will absorb some of the energy sustained in an accident to protect you and your passengers from the full force of the impact. The scope and design of the crumple zone will depend on the size and weight of your vehicle.
COMMON INJURIES IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING AUTO ROOF FAILURES
The strength of a vehicle’s roof is critical in protecting occupants in a rollover crash. The size, weight, and shape of a vehicle can affect how strong the roof needs to be to achieve sufficient crashworthiness. When these design standards are not met or manufacturing errors affect the stability of the roof, occupants of a vehicle are more likely to sustain more severe injuries in an accident.
Our vehicle roof collapse attorneys are ready to represent you if you suffered any of the following injuries:
WHO IS LIABLE FOR VEHICLE ROOF COLLAPSES?
Vehicle manufacturers have a duty to ensure their vehicles are crashworthy and that roofs will not fail during an accident, especially in larger vehicles that are more prone to rollovers. Defects that trigger auto roof failures tend to occur in the design or manufacturing processes. A vehicle manufacturer may choose a more inexpensive design even if it means compromising passenger safety, or they could reduce oversight at a production facility that leads to preventable manufacturing errors. In either scenario, the vehicle manufacturer is typically liable for roof collapses.
To prove liability, you will need to show that the vehicle’s roof was unreasonably dangerous due to a design or manufacturing defect and did not function as designed. You must then prove the defect led to more severe injuries than you would have sustained had the roof not failed.
WHAT DAMAGES CAN I RECOVER IN A VEHICLE ROOF COLLAPSE LAWSUIT?
You only have a certain amount of time, called the “statute of limitations,” to file a vehicle roof collapse lawsuit against the vehicle manufacturer. This time limit varies by state and is tied to the date of the accident. If an auto roof failure results in death, qualifying survivors of the victim will get additional time from the date of the victim’s passing to bring a wrongful death claim. You cannot recover any compensation if you wait too long to take legal action, so it is in your best interest to explore your options as soon as you can after an accident.
Our vehicle roof collapse lawyers will fight to get you compensation for all monetary and non-monetary losses related to your injuries, including:
Do not wait to get legal advice if your automobile’s roof failed during an accident. Contact us online or call (888) 420-1299 to speak to one of our vehicle roof collapse attorneys today.
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Automobile manufacturers have large legal departments that they rely on to avoid culpability for design and manufacturing defects. Going up against these resources is not an easy task, but our team at The Potts Law Firm is up to the challenge. Winning your case will likely require careful investigation, the sourcing of expert testimony, and the building and delivering of compelling arguments. We understand how automobile manufacturers frequently evade liability and will leverage our firm’s extensive resources and drive to level the playing field. Our legal professionals also recognize that you need money sooner rather than later, which is why we will always seek to favorably resolve your case as efficiently as possible. That may involve negotiating a fair settlement that covers your losses, though we are always prepared to go to trial if an agreement cannot be reached.
We will only proceed with filing a lawsuit if we believe we cannot negotiate a fair settlement. Should a lawsuit become necessary, we will typically file in the state where the accident occurred. In some situations, we may choose to file where the defendant is headquartered or where the defective components were designed or manufactured.
Our firm generally takes vehicle roof collapse cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We advance case expenses and do not ask you to pay for anything out of pocket. You will only pay legal fees if we win or secure an acceptable settlement.
To learn more about how vehicles are designed to protect you during a crash, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/crashworthiness.
A passenger safety cell, or safety cage, is the reinforced area surrounding the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This frame is intended to provide extra strength and protection for vehicle occupants by remaining rigid during an accident.
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At Potts Law Firm, we believe the details of your case matter and we work tirelessly to pursue just compensation on your behalf. Our team of experienced attorneys and staff are backed with the resources they need to win regardless of the obstacles your case faces. We do this all while keeping an open line of communication with you.
For assistance from our experienced legal team, please contact us online or call (888) 420-1299 today.
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