We often hear stories of misfortune and despair from prospective clients that goes something like this “Well Dad caused the accident. He fell asleep behind the wheel and lost control of our SUV. We rolled, the roof crushed and Mom ended up paralyzed. Her life is hell and we’re exhausted taking care of her. We can’t afford nurses. All our time and money goes to taking care of Mom. She sees the strain this is putting on us and wishes she had died.”

Tragic incidents like the one outlined above happen every day. Families blame themselves and each other. Often forgotten is the manufacturer of the SUV or other vehicle who could have and should have made its vehicle with a stronger roof.

An eye opening new report outlines that many of the 10,000 deaths suffered by drivers nationwide could have been prevented if their vehicles roof was made properly. According to the report most vehicles have thin and unstable roofs that make the vehicles dangerous to ride in. These roofs collapse and crush inward during any rollover situation, causing serious injuries and deaths each year. In response to the attention the auto industry has responded with a defense known as the “diving theory” which has proven to be entirely false.

Auto industry documents and other materials show that carmakers knew stronger roofs would save lives but continued to make cars and SUVs with the same weak roofs. Some mini vans, for example are dependent on window glass to support their vehicles’ roofs: glass that usually breaks during a roll over causing the roof to collapse.

In 2005 the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that there was a definitive link between a vehicles roof strength, crushing and injuries. Several other studies have shown that stronger roofs save the lives of everyone in the car, even during a rollover or other traumatic accident.

Roof safety has been an issue for decades.. Cutting costs by not putting enough engineering know how into creating a more solid roof has led to increase in injuries and deaths. American carmakers Chevrolet and Ford have been especially slow to respond to accusations that their roofs are not safe for people to drive under. While carmakers are adding new safety features like air bags, these improvements do little to protect passengers during a rollover. New data suggests that stronger roofs would improve driver and rider safety tremendously, keeping in line with all of the other improvements to auto safety over the years.

If you, a family member or friend is concerned about roof safety issues contact JACOBS LAW GROUP for a free consultation. Our attorneys are working overtime representing victims of crashes that have resulted in injury and death over the years. If these deaths and injuries could have been prevented then you are likely owed a financial settlement from the carmakers themselves. Call or contact our office for a free case evaluation and we will investigate your incident immediately.