Los Angeles Fatal Rollover Car Accident
A 23-year-old man killed in a Los Angeles car accident after he lost control of his 1999 Ford SUV, which rolled over, The Signal reports. The man, who has not yet been identified, was driving his SUV north on Highway 14 in the Antelope Valley when the SUV crashed and overturned just north of Red Rover Mine Road in Acton the night of October 30, 2009. The driver apparently drifted into the median shoulder after which the SUV continued on the dirt median, crashed into a guardrail, hit a sign off the freeway and rolled over. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. California Highway Patrol officials are still investigating the cause of this fatal car crash. No one else was injured.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young man who was killed in this tragic car accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who is grieving this loss. They will be in my prayers.
Rollover Accidents Are Deadly
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people in Los Angeles County. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are at least 10,000 traffic accident fatalities involving vehicle rollovers in the United States. That death toll accounts for 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States. Rollover accidents can be devastating not only from the severe impact of the vehicle striking the ground but also because various vehicle defects, especially in SUVs could cause or contribute to catastrophic or fatal injuries.
This article does not say what type of Ford SUV this young man was driving at the time of the accident. Ford SUVs -- specifically the Explorer, Expedition and Excursion models -- are well-known for going out of control and rolling over even at normal speeds. These SUVs have a high center of gravity and are disproportionately prone to rollovers compared to other passenger vehicles.
SUV Vehicle and Design Defects
Roof crush is also a serious problem in these vehicles. What this means is when these SUVs roll over, the roof of the vehicle does not maintain its shape. It's so flimsy, poorly designed and constructed that it crushes the occupants of the vehicles, resulting in catastrophic or traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries.
The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers of BISNAR | CHASE have represented several car accident victims who have been paralyzed in such rollover crashes involving Ford SUVs and have suffered permanent disabilities requiring 24/7 care. If the family of this young car accident victim believes that this crash was caused by a vehicle defect, they should certainly preserve the SUV in its current damaged state so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for mechanical malfunctions, auto product defects and other evidence.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
