Our Riverside roof crush attorneys at Bisnar Chase are here to help you win your case. Car accidents resulting in a roof crush, which is when the vehicle’s roof caves in, can result in severe and catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about a third of all vehicle occupant fatalities result from rollover accidents. Roof crush occurs when the roof of an overturned vehicle fails to withstand the pressure and caves in toward the occupants.
This can happen as the vehicle rolls over or as the vehicle comes to rest upside down after the crash. Either way, occupants risk suffering devastating head, neck, and back injuries when the roof fails to retain its shape.
The Best Roof Crush Auto Defect Lawyers Near You
In many cases, the roof of a vehicle will cave in during an accident because it has not been properly reinforced. If this happens due to automaker negligence, you need an experienced legal team on your side to hold the manufacturer accountable.
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated injury law firm with a national reputation for winning auto defect cases.
- Over $1 billion recovered for our clients.
- We have a 99% success rate.
- More than 46 years of experience throughout California, with an office in Riverside.
- A free consultation with no obligations.
- No win, no fee, and nothing out of pocket – our fees come from the final settlement.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a roof crush car accident, please contact the Riverside personal injury attorneys of Bisnar Chase for a free case evaluation. Call (951) 530-3711, send us an email, or use our 24/7 website live chat.
Legal Resources for Roof Crush Accidents in Riverside
Do You Need an Auto Defect Lawyer?
It is important to consider your legal options before making any decisions. Accepting a quick settlement from an insurance company after an accident may prevent you from seeking additional compensation later. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the fairness of the offer and the potential value of your claim.
Automakers who fail to manufacture safe vehicles despite having the resources and technological know-how to do so should be held accountable for their negligence. Many of these companies are eager to put profits before public safety.
How Will Bisnar Chase Help?
Our team has a long and successful track record of maximizing compensation for auto defect injury victims in and around the Riverside and Inland Empire areas.
- We will handle all paperwork, filings, and court deadlines.
- Our team will conduct negotiations with the opposing sides.
- We will build a case to support your claim, from conducting depositions to hiring experts to examine your vehicle.
- In addition to legal help, we will provide guidance and support on how to handle the aftermath of your accident.
- The legal process can be expensive, but we will advance the money needed to win your case, protecting you from any out-of-pocket costs.
- If needed, we will go to trial for you.
Simply put, our team at Bisnar Chase will take care of everything so that you can focus on your recovery. You can take a step back, safe in the knowledge that our team is working tirelessly for you.
Roof crush liability cases can be long and complex. But we have handled countless auto defect claims, from roof crush and rollover accidents to seatback failure injury cases.
Maximize your compensation by working with the best roof crush injury attorneys in your area. At Bisnar Chase, we have the skill, experience, and resources to hold even the biggest car manufacturers accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Do Roof Crush Accidents Happen?
In most cases, a vehicle’s roof will come under pressure during a rollover car accident, when the vehicle rolls or lands on its roof. If the roof is not properly manufactured or reinforced, it could collapse into the passenger compartment under the weight of the vehicle or the force of the crash.
When a car roof collapses, the entire structure is forced toward the heads of the occupants. This can cause the car doors to break open, any windows to shatter, and headroom to disappear.
Roof Crush Causes
While it is the car crash that technically causes the roof to crush inward, all vehicles should be constructed to a certain safety standard. The roof should be able to withstand a lot of pressure and protect the occupants of the vehicle.
Some of the potential reasons for a car roof failure include:
- Manufacturing errors.
- Cheap or subpar materials used.
- No reinforcement.
- Design issues combined with a lack of testing.
If a manufacturer fails to provide a vehicle that keeps drivers and passengers safe, they must be held accountable. By suing a negligent automaker, we can recover compensation for any injuries and damages caused by their actions. We can also make vehicles safer for everyone else, potentially saving many more lives.
Contact our experienced Riverside roof crush injury lawyers to determine if you have an auto defect case. Call (951) 530-3711 for a free consultation.
Roof Crush Injuries In Riverside
Even properly buckled occupants during a rollover can get thrown around from side to side, resulting in sprains, strains, internal injuries, and bone fractures. If the vehicle’s structure fails, the occupants can be crushed inside, leading to even more catastrophic injuries.
Common roof crush injuries include:
- Broken bones.
- Crush injuries.
- Head and neck injuries.
- Spinal cord damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Amputation.
These accidents commonly involve vertebrae fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. It is common for survivors of roof crush injuries to suffer disabilities and life-altering side effects, including paralysis.
Importance of Preserving the Vehicle After a Roof Crush Accident
Whenever a roof crush accident occurs, it is important to investigate why the vehicle failed to work properly. If it is determined that the vehicle was defectively designed or built, it may be possible for the victim or the victim’s family to file a claim against the auto part manufacturer.
This will prove difficult if the damaged vehicle is not preserved correctly for a thorough inspection immediately after the crash. After a rollover crash, taking photos of the damaged vehicle is important.
It is crucial to obtain close-up shots of the roof showing how far it caved in. The vehicle must be towed and preserved so an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects, malfunctions, and design flaws. Your attorney will work with experts to identify and catalogue your auto defect.
Product Liability Claims and Class Action Suits
Victims of defective products have the right to file a product liability claim against the at-fault manufacturer. In such cases, plaintiffs must prove that the product was defective, that they suffered a loss, and that their loss was directly related to the defect.
In the event of a roof crush incident, it must be determined if the roof failed because it was defectively designed or assembled. Large dents and cave-ins could be a sign of a defective roof.
In general, an investigation should occur if the roof caved in five inches or more during the accident. Experts hired by your attorney will identify the dangerous defect that caused the injuries.
Government Regulation and Roof Crush
Consumer advocates have called for higher standards in rollover safety for many years.
- NHTSA estimates that 10,000 deaths result from rollover accidents each year and about 667 of those fatalities are caused by roof crushes.
- In 2009, the NHTSA issued new standards that could save up to 135 lives and prevent 1,065 injuries annually.
- Under the new standards that officially went into effect in September 2012, the roof of vehicles under 6,000 pounds must withstand three times the curb weight of the vehicle.
- Furthermore, vehicles weighing between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds are now required to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle.
Before this regulation, there was no required standard for larger vehicles. The new regulations do not cover 12- to 15- passenger vans that are notorious for their involvement in catastrophic and fatal rollover crashes. The regulations do not affect hard- or soft-top convertibles either.
Damages Covered: The Compensation You Could Recover
Victims of defective auto parts can pursue financial compensation for all of their losses by filing a claim against the auto manufacturer with their lawyer.
A successful product liability claim can result in financial compensation for:
- Medical bills, including the cost of hospitalization and surgeries.
- Cost of medication and medical devices.
- Lost wages, including time away from work and lost earning potential.
- Pain and suffering.
- Projected future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
- Impacted quality of life, either short or long-term.
When an individual is killed in a roof crush accident, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for their losses. Such claims, which are filed by immediate family members, seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and benefits, and loss of love and companionship.
In any instance, it is not easy to deal with an injury accident on your own. Trust our team at Bisnar Chase to secure the best possible results in your case.
Award-Winning Riverside Roof Crush Lawyers Near You
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a crushed roof, we urge you to contact our Riverside roof crush attorneys at Bisnar Chase to speak to one of our trial lawyers. Recovery is only a phone call away!
We have earned a national reputation for handling auto defect cases across the United States. But we take great pride in helping residents in our own community. We have an office in Riverside, but can also come to you if that is more convenient.
Our firm has been in business since 1978, helping countless injury victims fight for the justice they deserve. The numbers don’t lie; we have a 99% success rate with more than $1 billion recovered for our clients.
We believe in holding major companies accountable for their wrongdoing and offering superior representation to everyone.
Contact our Riverside roof crush auto defect attorneys today for a free consultation with no obligations. If we don’t win, you pay nothing. Call us at (951) 530-3711 today for immediate assistance. You can also send us an email or use our 24/7 website live chat. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
