Three Injured After Merced County Rollover Accident
Three parties, including one child, were injured after an SUV rollover accident in Merced County on the afternoon of May 25, 2020. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was requested at the scene of the car accident at approximately 3:30 p.m. The incident only involved one vehicle and occurred in the area of West Bradbury Road and southbound Highway 99. A 42-year-old Stockton woman was driving a 2004 Dodge Durango SUV southbound on State Route 99 in the No. 1 lane, just north of Delhi, CA. For unknown reasons, the woman lost control of the Dodge by reportedly veering to the right and crossing the No. 2 lane of the roadway. The Dodge continued over the shoulder, traveled across the on-ramp, overturned, and went down an embankment. Both passengers of the vehicle, identified as a 19-year-old Stockton woman and an 11-year-old child, were transported via air ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Dodge was transported by ground ambulance to the hospital for complaints of pain. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no other details have yet been released by officials.
Who is at Fault for a Merced County Rollover Accident?
Light pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs have the highest rate of rollover accidents among passenger cars. This is due to their greater vehicle weight and higher centers of gravity. Some of these rollovers often occur at high rates of speed on the highway or off the roadway. In other cases, they may occur at low speeds as well. Regardless of the situation, several parties may be found at fault for the accident. These include the driver that caused the accident, the government entity that failed in their duty of maintaining the roadway free of defects, and a vehicle manufacturer for safety or design hazards.
Can You File a Claim for a Defective Vehicle?
For a viable auto products liability claim, an injured person will need to keep and preserve the SUV in question until it has been inspected by an experienced Merced car accident lawyer. An attorney will determine whether a defect in the vehicle contributed to the rollover crash. If this is the case, an injured person may file a personal injury claim against the automaker for design or manufacturing defects that caused the rollover.
In other cases, a rollover accident would not have caused catastrophic injuries if not for some aspect of the vehicle.
Roof Crush Resistance in a Rollover Accident
When designing cars, automakers are obligated to follow federal guidelines set for crashworthiness. This oversees how safe a vehicle would be during an accident and how well it would protect occupants inside the car from harm’s way. For instance, safety features such as reinforced roofs that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 on roof crush resistance should protect people inside the car in the event of a rollover. However, SUVs do not always have designs that are deemed safe and meet that standard.
When the roof of an SUV does not have sufficient roof crush resistance in a rollover, the roof may collapse inward and exacerbate any trauma suffered by vehicle occupants. When this happens, a car manufacturer may be held financially accountable for enhanced injuries and losses incurred for not meeting FMVSS 216. Since strict filing criteria and deadlines apply in this type of personal injury case, an experienced Merced personal injury lawyer can best represent you and your best interests if you are injured in such an accident. For details on what to look for in the best personal injury lawyer near you, watch the video below.
Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Rollover Accident?
Rollover accidents have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries that may affect your daily living and ability to work. Economic and noneconomic damages in these cases often include medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Proving liability after a rollover is essential for recovering these damages, especially when an injured party may require medical treatment for life due to permanent injury or disability. At AutoAccident.com, we represent people injured in rollover accidents throughout California, including in Merced County. We have the resources necessary for gathering evidence, analyzing all potential avenues of a financial recovery, and building a strong case for compensation on your behalf to ensure you have what you need to move forward with your life.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury lawyer. A rollover accident has the potential to leave those involved in critical conditions with catastrophic injuries. After this type of car accident, an injured individual should consider seeking legal representation to protect their best interests and right to fair compensation. If you have been injured after a rollover crash and believe a defective roof exacerbated your injuries, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice on your situation.
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