Raj Kumar, 25, was killed in a Riverside car accident after the van he was driving veered off Highway 62, near Twentynine Palms, and rolled over. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Kumar and his passenger were driving on the highway the morning of June 27, 2010, when the 2007 Dodge van went out of control and across opposing traffic lanes, before rolling over landing on its roof. Kumar was pinned under the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 19-year-old George Boulden, was treated for minor injuries and released. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Raj Kumar for their devastating and irreparable loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rollover Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year about 40,000 people die in traffic accidents in the United States. Of these fatalities, about 25 percent or 10,000 are due to rollover accidents. These accidents can be devastating because of the violence and intensity with which they occur.

Causes of the Accident

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how or why this rollover accident occurred. Was there a vehicle defect or malfunction in the van that caused or contributed to this fatal crash? Was this accident the result of driver error? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which led to the accident? Were any other vehicles involved? For example, was the van run off the roadway by another vehicle? I trust officials are looking at these and other factors in order to determine exactly what occurred here.

Auto Products Liability Issues

I would also be interested to know if there were any auto product defects that caused Kumar’s fatal injuries. If an auto product defect is determined to have been the cause of the initial accident or the fatal injuries, then the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product could be held liable.

In any car accident case where an auto product defect is suspected, the vehicle must be preserved in its current crashed condition so it can be carefully examined by an expert for malfunctions, defects and other evidence. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled auto product liability lawsuits will be able to advise victims’ families about how to pursue their legal rights.

What are the most common auto product defects you come across? Which are the defects that concern you the most? We would like to hear from you.

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.