A test drive turned deadly in early December 2015 on U.S. 1 and SE Fisher Street in Stuart. An employee from the Wallace Honda Dealer was driving the Honda CRV back to the car lot with his potential customers when they were t-boned by a Chevy Tahoe.
The impact sent the Honda CRV into a rollover that killed 83-year-old passenger Donald Maloney of Stuart, and injured four others. This is the 30th crash fatality reported in Martin County in 2015, nearly double the amount of deaths that occurred in 2014.
What Causes Rollovers and Whose to Blame for Them?
Vehicle rollovers happen to many types of vehicles and may be the result of a defective automotive product. When vehicles are raised higher off the ground, like the Honda CRV, they are more prone to rollovers due to their higher center of gravity. Whether the rollover indicates a product defect that you can sue for depends on many things that a skilled Florida defective products lawyer can help you determine.
One of the main reasons for a rollover is called “tripping” which occurs when a car’s tire hits something that disrupts the momentum of the vehicle causing it to rollover. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) estimates that tripping causes 95% of all rollovers, with the following issues contributing to rollovers as well:
- Tire Failures
- Tire Tread Defects (delamination or detreading)
- Poor Stability Control
- Poorly Designed Suspension Systems
- Inadequate Brakes
The NHTSA also estimates that 35% of all auto accident fatalities occur from a rollover. That’s a staggering number of deaths considering that only 4% of traffic accidents involve a rollover. These numbers demonstrate just how deadly a rollover can be.
The Florida product liability attorneys at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have successfully litigated hundreds of cases against many of the major auto manufacturers involving vehicle defects that cause rollover crashes. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle rollover then contact our law firm today for a free consultation. If you have any questions on this blog or need information on other personal injury queries, please call the Law offices of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath located in West Palm Beach at 1-800 4-RIGHTS (1-800- 474-4487) We welcome your call and look forward to helping you.
