Roof Crush Attorney

John T. Flood is an injury lawyer in Texas who focuses on roof crush cases. Call (361) 654-8877 to get compensation for your injury caused by a roof crush accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while rollovers only account for 2.1% of all reported accidents, they result in 35% of all accident-related fatalities annually. Due to the severity of a rollover accident, a structurally sound roof is crucial to protect all vehicle occupants. Vehicles outfitted with poorly manufactured and designed roofs increase the severity of injuries or cause unnecessary deaths when roofs collapse inward and on top of occupants.

Causes of Roof Crush

Few would consider the performance of a vehicle’s roof when evaluating its ability to keep them safe. While roofs may be overlooked when it comes to traditional vehicle occupant protection systems, they play a vital part in shielding passengers from outside forces, including the vehicle itself. A vehicle’s roof can fail its passengers through the following defects:

Holes in Structure

It’s common for automakers to cut holes in a roof’s framing system to minimize its weight. Larger vehicles designed with tall narrow bodies, like SUVs, are more prone to rollovers due to their high center of gravity. When these large vehicles, which are heavier by nature, have their roof infrastructure manipulated to reduce vehicle weight, occupants are put at a greater risk for injury or death due to the combination of vehicle rollover and under-enforced roofs. Simply put, a vehicle that has been altered and is less structurally reinforced will not be able to sustain its own weight and impact in a crash, crushing the roof as the vehicle topples over onto itself.

Inadequate or Cheap Materials

Roof systems manufactured with subpar materials – typically due to cost cutting ploys made by automakers – are less effective and less likely to provide protection to vehicle occupants. If a vehicle is involved in a serious accident like a rollover, the inadequate materials are more likely to cause the roof to collapse and crush inward on occupants. If an occupant is thrown from their seat in a crash, an insufficient roof could fail to keep them inside the vehicle and make them more likely to be ejected.

Inadequate Installation

As is the case with many vehicle safety features, the effectiveness of a roof relies heavily on its design, manufacture, and installation. When pillars that connect the roof to the body of the car and windows are not properly installed and reinforced, the vehicle runs the risk of its roof disconnecting in an accident. When this happens, a vehicle’s occupants are at a greater risk of being ejected. Furthermore, inadequate mounting systems can also lead to the roof crushing inward on vehicle occupants.

Each of these causes has the potential to result in catastrophic injury or even death. Injuries commonly associated with roof-related accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones/fractures
• Deep lacerations
• Amputations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death

Texas Roof Crush Injury Lawyers

It is clear that inadequate roofing systems pose a daily threat to drivers and passengers. Automakers have a duty to outfit all vehicles with properly functioning safety features made with quality materials that can withstand a multitude of scenarios (including rollover accidents). If you or a loved one was seriously injured or killed due to a defective roof-related incident, you may be entitled to compensation. The guidance of seasoned products liability attorney John Flood, earned across over 30 years of experience, combined with a passion for defending victims of senseless automaker negligence has proven effective for clients.

Were you injured by a roof crush accident in Texas? Call attorney John Flood at (361) 654-8877 today for a free initial case evaluation. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Crush Accidents

What are the main causes of roof crush accidents?

The main causes of roof crush accidents include:

• Driving larger vehicles like SUVs with a higher center of gravity
• Tripping, which occurs when a tire hits something and the vehicle loses momentum and rolls over
• A design and/or manufacturing defect in the vehicle and its roof, including roof pillars that are placed incorrectly or are not strong enough and roof materials were defective
• Equipment failure
• Road defects
• Other negligent drivers who cause you to swerve and lose control

What types of injuries result from roof crush accidents?

Roof crush accident injuries can include broken bones, crush injuries, amputations, internal damage, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, and wrongful death.

How much is a roof crush accident case worth?

While it is impossible to know the exact value of a roof crush accident case, an experienced automotive products liability lawyer will be able to evaluate the facts of your particular situation and let you know an estimated range of recovery. Various factors can affect the amount of compensation, including the severity of your injuries and the insurance coverage available from the responsible party or parties.

What should I do if I was injured in a roof crush accident?

If poor roof design and/or construction caused a roof crush accident resulting in catastrophic injuries or a loved one’s wrongful death, then contact our law firm today. Our attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to fully investigate your accident. If auto defects caused or contributed to your injuries, then we will represent you in a products liability lawsuit against the manufacturer and any other responsible parties.