Roof Crush Accident Lawyer
Every year thousands of people are injured in serious car, truck and SUV roof crush accidents. It is vital to speak to a roof crush accident lawyer as soon as possible. Many people assume that the main issue associated with roof crush is the risk of injury or even being trapped inside a vehicle, the fact is that this type of accident can also lead to serious legal consequences. In these cases, it is important for those injured to seek legal help, to have the best chance of getting the compensation that they need for their health and recovery.
Roof Crush Accidents and Potential Injuries
Roof crush accidents happen when the roof of a vehicle is pushed down onto its passengers, either by another vehicle or object, and most often associated with a rollover accident. The impact of these objects, or the ground itself if the vehicle is inverted, can cause the roof of a car or truck to collapse, leaving its passengers unable to escape and vulnerable to a number of potentially devastating injuries.
Many vehicles have a weak roof structure comprised of thin sheet metal with semi-tubular elements that contain numerous notches, dimples and hole cutouts. In a rollover accident these become weak points that cause the roof to buckle and crush downward when subjected to the forces of the accident. Once a vehicle’s roof crushes the impact projects injury-causing forces downward onto the occupant’s head and spine. These injuries can be fatal or cause permanent paralysis. The severity of the injury will depend upon the force of the impact and the type of vehicle involved. In the worst cases, roof crush results in wrongful death.
Types of injury that can result from a roof crush accident:
- Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Back trauma
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken neck
- Fractured bones
- Facial and dental injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Death
If a driver or passenger is killed, or paralyzed, in a rollover accident, and the roof and its support pillars show considerable buckling and downward crushing, then it is critical to have the vehicle, accident report and scene reviewed by an expert. Compromises in roof strength may indicate a likely product defect issue that may warrant filing a roof crush lawsuit. There are many possibilities that could lead to or contribute to the accident and these facts should be reviewed by a Rollover Attorney.
Safer vehicle designs have reinforced roof pillars with full-length internal baffle plates. Some are filled with rigid foam which can triple their strength. A closed-section support (similar to an “O”) is safer than an open-section support (similar to a “C”). Other safety improvements include: tubular windshield headers, roof side rails, lateral side-to-side cross-members and reinforcing gussets at the connections. Stronger vehicle roofs help minimize the downward and lateral roof crush forces after an impact that causes head and spine injuries. They also help maintain the survival space that can prevent serious injury to the driver and passengers. Defects in the safety and construction of the vehicle are the manufacturers’ responsibility if they caused, or negligently contributed to, the injuries sustained in an accident. Serious accidents should be investigated by a roof crush lawyer to study the facts of the case.
Roof Crush Lawsuits
Understanding the legal implications of a roof crush accident are important. As with any other motor vehicle accident, people involved in roof crush accidents have the option of seeking compensation from either their own insurance, the insurance of the driver responsible, or by filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
When considering legal action, the main areas of compensation that clients may receive include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
Typically, those entitled to compensation from a roof crush accident will also be able to claim punitive damages. Punitive damages will be determined by the severity of the injury and the negligent behavior of the party responsible.
How to Pursue a Roof Crush Legal Claim
When it comes to filing a roof crush legal claim, the first step that you should take is to ensure you have the right representation. It is important to enlist the help of a skilled lawyer who knows the most effective methods for pursuing a successful roof crush claim.
Working with a roof crush lawyer gives the best chance of receiving compensation. Lawyers help assess the evidence in order to build a strong legal case and will be able to explain which legal options may be available in order to pursue the maximum amount of compensation.
Roof crush accidents are incredibly serious and can cause injured people to suffer a range of devastating injuries. As such, those who have experienced a roof crush accident should seek legal help and file a roof crush lawsuit in order to claim the compensation that they deserve. Doing so can help those injured or their surviving families by getting the justice that they deserve and also help them to receive the financial security that will help them to rebuild their lives after such a tragic accident.